2010 April (PDF)

THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE GOLD COAST TREASURE CLUB, INC.
VOLUME 35 NUMBER 4

APRIL 2010

THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE 7:30 P.M. APRIL 8
AT THE WEST PALM BEACH GARDEN CLUB IN DREHER PARK
IN WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA

OUR CODE OF ETHICS: HAVE PERMISSION AND DO NO HARM

APRIL 2010 MEETING

Join us on April 8th for a program that is sure to be
enlightening. Our topic this month is “How to Sell Your
Gold and NOT Get Ripped Off!” Jim Sharp will educate
us about the ins and outs of selling your gold so you can
maximize your profits. Jim will bring handouts which will
feature websites to refer to for up-to-the-minute gold
prices, how to weigh and calculate gold, how to test gold
if it is not marked, tools to use with your gold, and places
NOT to take your gold - and why. Nick Mosca will
demonstrate gold testing so you’ll know what to look for
to determine karat value. Jim will also tell you where to
take your jewelry to sell when you don’t want to sell it as
scrap. Come and learn the answers to your most pressing
questions about how to turn your gold into CASH!
Thanks in advance to April’s Mystery Prize volunteer,
Nikolay Malchev and to Marilyn and Irving Smith who
have volunteered to provide refreshments.

A TREASURE OF A RAFFLE!
This month we are offering a real treasure of a raffle! A
$25 Gift Certificate to Reilly’s Treasured Gold could be
yours, if you hold the winning raffle ticket! Don’t miss
your chance! See Heather McNew at the April meeting to
purchase your tickets. Cost: Only $1 each, or six for $5.

*******************************************
CLUB HUNT

Join us on Sunday, April 11th for a club hunt at a place
and time to be announced. Hunt Master Linda Bennett
will provide more info and directions at the April meeting.

*******************************************
“THE TREASURE HUNTER’S HANDBOOK”
By Andy Sabisch

JOIN US AT P.A. BBQ BEFORE THE MEETING!
Join other club members for dinner in the back room of
P.A. BBQ at 5:30 p.m. before the meeting. Dutch treat!

Park Avenue BBQ & Grille
2401 N. Dixie Hwy (US 1)
Lake Worth, Florida
*******************************************
CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE!
Check back frequently for updates:

http://www.apex-ephemera.com/gctc/
TREASURER’S REPORT (as of 3.16.10)
$2,568.14

Look inside to learn about a special fundraising
opportunity featuring “The Treasure Hunter’s Handbook”
by Andy Sabisch that will benefit the Gold Coast

Treasure Club!

MEMBERS BUY AND SELL COLUMN
THE GOLD COAST TREASURE CLUB, INC.
Founded in 1973 by Ted Rudd
President
Mindy Spiroch
561-432-7242
Vice-President
Stacey deLucia
561-687-2310
Secretary
Jan Smirnow
561-735-8921
Treasurer
Eddie D'Amato
561-370-3346
Hunt Master: Linda Bennett
561-290-5112
Cell Phone: 561-352-4068
Assistant Hunt Master: Gary McNew
561-718-5523
Sales and Raffle Promoter
Elayne Lynch
Photographer: Steve Hoskins
Librarian: Cheryl Petenbrink
Hospitality Hostess: Heather McNew
Prize Coordinator: Betty Laur
Membership: Jim Sharp
Website Administrator: John Lobota
Newsletter Editor: Stacey deLucia
Email: gctreasureclub@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.apex-ephemera.com/gctc/

CLUB MAILING ADDRESS
c/o Gail Hoskins
206 Russell Drive
Lake Worth, FL 33461

Dues are $30 a year.
New members pay an
initiation fee of $5, plus:
$30 if joining between Jan. 1st and
the end of June,
or $15 if joining between July 1
and Dec. 31

This column is provided, free of charge, as a courtesy to our
club members. The contents of all advertisements are the sole
responsibility of the members placing the ads. The GCTC does
not imply endorsement, approval or warranty of any product
or service advertised here.

REILLY’S TREASURED GOLD offers a complete
line of new & used detectors, scoops, cleaners, tumblers,
and books. The shop also does custom metal working and
laser detailing. For details, call 954-971-6102. Low
prices plus 10% discount to members! See their website:
www.rtgstore.com.
ED WESTON – WANTED: Collectable and antique
fishing tackle. Lures, rods, reels. 561-301-9062.
TOM LIEBERMAN – Ready to serve your real
estate
needs.
Call
561-852-7409;
e-mail:
telieberman@aol.com.
JAN SMIRNOW – FOR SALE: White's Prizm V
$300; Shadow V with 3 coils $500. Call 735-8921 and
leave message.
TESSA DURAND – BUY OR SELL AVON. Just
imagine yourself as the CEO of your own Company!
Check out my website, order online, direct shipping right
to your door. www.youravon/tdurand-owens.com or
call 561-358-2252.
GARY MCNEW – WANTED: Any unwanted finds,
such as electronics, whole or in pieces, unwanted jewelry
in any condition and even “cauliflower” pennies. I’ll
have a container at the meeting for you to drop stuff in.
Also wanted, “Dead or Alive,” old computers and video
games. 561-718-5523.
STACEY deLUCIA – FOR SALE: Handcrafted
custom-made-to-order beaded jewelry featuring your
favorite semi-precious gems or beads. Design your own,
or let me design a one-of-a-kind piece especially for you
or a loved one. Want to see some samples of my work?
Call 561-687-2310 or e-mail sdeLuc823@aol.com.
JACK SAINT – FOR SALE: Bounty Hunter Pioneer
505. Used only once! Asking $150 OBO. (Kellyco sale
price is $299.99.) Includes DVD and “Finds Bag.” Call
561-629-2420 or e-mail jack_saint2001@yahoo.com.
ED D’AMATO – FOR SALE: The Kingdom Slot
Machine with tokens. Pays out! $450 new. Will sacrifice
for $350. Call Ed D’Amato at 561-370-3346.
Club members may advertise items for sale or items wanted,
free of charge. The club does not profit unless noted in the ad.
Sometimes ads will need to be edited due to available space.
Items do not have to be related to metal detecting. Contact
Stacey deLucia (sdeLuc823@aol.com) to place your ad or to
remove it once the item is sold.

MONTHLY BEST FINDS CONTEST

Second Place for Monthly Best Finds

(Winners receive a silver quarter and certificate)

(Runner up receives a silver dime and certificate)

BEST GOLD WITH STONES – Gary McNew

Gold With Stones – Jim Sharp (Emerald Bracelet)

14 Kt Gold Diamond & Ruby Ring

Gold – Jim Sharp (15 Kt Gold Chain – Yes! 15 Kt!)

BEST GOLD – Kathy Ayon
14 Kt Gold Earring

Silver – Jack Petenbrink (Tiffany & Co. Ring)

BEST SILVER – Jason Petenbrink
Ring With Diamonds

Most Unusual – Gary McNew (Anchor)

MOST UNUSUAL – Brenda Dickerson
Shark Tooth Pendent

Costume – Gary McNew (Bow Tie Ring)

COSTUME JEWELRY – Gary Spiroch

Coin – Gary Spiroch (Mercury Dime)

Tag Watch

MONTHLY FIRST PLACE WINNERS
BEST COIN – Brenda Dickerson
1820 Large Cent

Remember: Only current members can participate
in the Monthly Best Finds Contest!!!

Gary McNew, Gary Spiroch, Brenda Dickerson,
Jason Petenbrink, Kathy Ayon

MARCH MEETING
President Mindy Spiroch welcomed more than 60
members and guests to the March 11th meeting and
introduced our speaker, Captain Robert Bouchlas, Marine
Archeologist, Marine Archeologist and the true discoverer
of the Virgin wreck “Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas, a
Spanish galleon that sank in 1656 near Memory Rock,
Bahamas. An associate of Captain Bob’s, Frank Pesile,
started the presentation with a flourish by working his way
down the Best Finds Table with an old metal detector
while singing “To Dream the Impossible Dream.” It was a
beautifully done introduction to an interesting topic.
Captain Bouchlas captured everyone’s attention as he
spoke about the past, Tarpon Springs, Florida (the sponge
capital of the world), and his grandfather in Greece who
was one of the original “hard hat” divers and a great
influence on his life. He mentioned fellow treasure hunter,
Robert Marx and his failed search for the Maravillas and
how Captain Bob finally figured out where the real
Maravillas is located. His multifaceted presentation
touched on the intensive research he has conducted,
spirituality, meteors, and even the Bermuda Triangle! He
explained that he is still in search of the “Golden
Madonna” and, although he is certain that he knows where
she rests, he shared the many challenges he faces in his
quest to rescue her from the ocean floor.
For more details about Captain Bob’s compelling
search, check our free table at the April meeting or go to
www.sanmigueltreasuretours.com.
Mindy thanked Marilyn & Les Batts, Ed D’Amato
and Jan Smirnow for providing refreshments and Stacey
deLucia for bringing the Mystery Item, which stumped
everyone in the group. No one had a child’s toy jack in
their Tall Tales Table displays. Better luck next time!
***********************************************

ELAYNE AND HEATHER’S CORNER
DOOR PRIZES
“And the Winners Are…”
Gold Pan & Book: “Finding Gold Nuggets II”
by Jimmy “Sierra” Normandi – Dixie Gamble
Husky Brand 40 piece Screwdriver Set – Paul Hamlin
Back Saver Grip & GCTC Pin – Heather McNew
Cap Light & Bounty Hunter Cap – Tom Lieberman
Headphones & Book: “How to Search Sand and Surf”
by Charles Garrett – Bob Dobski
Angel Alert Child Distance Monitor – Jerry Laur
1940 Silver Quarter – Trent Bowen
$20 Gift Certificate to McCormick & Schmick’s
Seafood Restaurant in City Place – Amy Hamedl
Estée Lauder Lip Pencil Duo & Cologne – Jan Smirnow
LOK-A-BOLT Deadbolt Door Guard – Karen Larson

Donations for our monthly drawings (and other
events) are always appreciated! Thank you to the
following generous donors: Paul Hamlin: Cap Light
and Angel Alert Monitor; Karen Larson:
McCormick & Schmick’s Gift Certificate; Nick
Mosca: Estée Lauder Lip Pencil Duo & Cologne;
Domenic Mucciacciaro: LOK-A-BOLT Deadbolt
Door Guard - http://www.lokabolt.com/.
TALL TALES TABLES TOTALS FOR 2010
As of March:
DOLLAR AMOUNT: $795.74
PLATINUM: 2
GOLD: 41
SILVER: 51

50/50 DRAWING
Brenda Dickerson won the 50/50 drawing during the
March meeting, earning her an easy $74! Way to go,
Brenda! Make sure that YOU get YOUR tickets in April!

March birthday celebrants Kathy Ayon, Marilyn
Batts, Nikolay Malchev, Radina Malchev, Heather
McNew, Warren Megibow, Jason Petenbrink, and
John Presslein each received a birthday dollar at the
March meeting. Happy Birthday, gang!

***********************************************

ON THE MEND
We are happy to report that Gail Hoskins is back at
home recovering from surgery. Now that she’s on the
mend, we hope to see her soon at a GCTC meeting!
***********************************************

CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS MONTH TO:
Bob Konnagan (4/11)
Karen Larson (4/1)
Amanda Maduri (4/8)

Our old friend, Dick Stout, treasure hunter, noted
author and past “Club News & Views” columnist for
Western & Eastern Treasures, recently created a great new
website. Dick said that it’s “basic in nature and a work in
progress,” but we’re sure our members will find that it
offers a wealth of knowledge. One click and you’ll never
want to leave. You can spend hours here! Enjoy!

www.stoutstandards.com

Good Will Ambassadors Performing

Random Acts of Kindness

The GCTC recognizes members who provide selfless
service to our community. The first time a member returns
an item, that individual receives a metal detecting pin
(handcrafted by Steve Hoskins) to wear on his or her hat,
in addition to a certificate of appreciation. Future returns
are recognized by additional certificates. Kudos to all club
members who go out of their way to return items to their
rightful owners. The actions of each of our “Ambassadors
of Good Will” enhance the public’s perception of our
hobby! Way to go, gang!

CHALLENGE LEVELS
Level 3: Certificate & Silver Quarter
Level 4: Certificate & Silver Half Dollar
Level 5: Certificate & Silver Dollar
Jim Sharp was recognized for being only the second
club member to complete Level 5 of the Challenge Levels.
Jason Petenbrink completed Levels 3, 4 and 5. Jason
was the third member to reach Level 5.
Tom Lieberman completed Levels 3 and 4.
(Watch out, Jim and Jason! Tom’s close behind you!)

REPEAT AMBASSADORS
Returns Recognized at March Meeting:
Jim Sharp, Jason Petenbrink and Tom Lieberman

***********************************************

2010 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
Jan Smirnow
Two returns: Platinum wedding band AND
Located flag grommets for Cub Scouts

The directory is for the personal use of members only.
Names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses are to be used
only for contact within the club. Notify Jan Smirnow
(jbsmirnow@att.net) with changes, errors or omissions.

NEW MEMBERS:
Willie and Judi Ray
815 N Golf Dr, Hollywood, FL 33021
Phone: 954-989-9813 - Jwr1028@bellsouth.net

RENEWALS:
Wayne Daniels
406 La Manha Ave, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
Phone: 561-422-8927 - Wdanielsk2@aol.com

Paul Hamlin
Returned flag grommets to Cub Scouts

John & Kazhie Zabriskie
8215 Summer Breeze Lane, Boca Raton, FL 33496
Phone: 561-479-0469

REVISION:
Jan Smirnow – jbsmirnow@att.net

Ed Weston - enotssew@hotmail.com
Jim Sharp
Returned keys

Gary Spiroch
Returned a cell phone

Remember to check the directory for alternate addresses
when our snowbirds go home for the summer!
***********************************************
“SALVAGING SPANISH SUNKEN TREASURE”
Margaret Weller is honoring the legacy of her
husband, the late Bob “Frogfoot” Weller, by continuing
to offer his Sunken Treasure Seminars slated to run in late
May and early June. For info, call Margaret at 561-5882903, e-mail her at bobfrogfoot@comcast.net or check out
http://home.att.net/~enrada/graphics/2010SemPromo.pdf

JIM WARNKE MEMORIAL
HUNT AND PICNIC
This was the sixth annual memorial hunt and picnic to
honor Jim Warnke who passed away in 2004 at the age of
80 years young. Jim joined the GCTC shortly after the
club was formed in 1973 and served in every office. The
longest position he held was as newsletter editor. He was
renowned in the treasure world for the many interesting
books and magazine articles he wrote about treasure
hunting, especially his passion for hunting Florida ghost
towns and abandoned home sites.

On March 21, twenty-eight club members gathered
at Jupiter Beach for a planted hunt of American Coins
followed by prizes and a picnic. Nikolay Malchev used
the free entry that he won at the Holiday Party.
Linda Bennett, Gary McNew, Jim Sharp and Bob
Dobski planted a total of 1,384 American coins and 24
tokens. The field was divided in half with Linda and Jim
planting one half and Gary and Bob planting the other. In
the interest of fairness, during the first 15 minutes of the
hunt, the four could not hunt in the field they had planted.
The breakdown of American coins was as follows:
 Silver Dimes: 160
 Wheat Pennies: 380
 Indian Head Pennies: 89
 V Nickels: 50
 Buffalo Nickels: 41
 Jefferson Nickels (Pre 1959): 515
 Clad Half Dollar: 2
 Clad Dollar Coins: 123
Top five hunters:
Gary Spiroch: 102 coins
Gary McNew: 96 coins
Linda Bennett: 87 coins
Mindy Spiroch: 84 coins
Irving Smith: 82 coins
Some members found jewelry during the hunt that had
not been planted. Lydia Cook found a beautiful Eastern
Star Pin:

.
Kathy Ayon and Jim Sharp both found single – but not
matching – earrings.

Prizes were awarded to members who had found tokens
and also to the two members who found the lowest
number of coins.
Silver Dollar: Lydia Cook
Silver Dollar: Jan Smirnow
Silver Dollar: Nikolay Malchev
Silver Dollar: Lydia Cook
Silver Half Dollar: Gary Spiroch
Silver Half Dollar: Linda Bennett
Silver Half Dollar: Nikolay Malchev
Silver Quarter: Kathy Ayon
Silver Quarter: Willie Ray
Silver Quarter: Ed Weston
Silver Quarter: Kathy Ayon
Silver Quarter: Phil Hujar
Silver Quarter: Jan Smirnow
Silver Quarter: Les Batts
Silver Quarter: Willie Ray
Silver Quarter: Bob Smirnow
Roman Coin: Tessa Durand
Roman Coin: Bob Dobski
Roman Coin: Jerry Laur
Roman Coin: Steve Hamedl
Roman Coin: Gary Spiroch
Roman Coin: Judi Ray
Roman Coin: Bob Smirnow
Roman Coin: Jan Smirnow
Roman Coin: Ed D’Amato
Roman Coin: Jerry Laur

:

Special thanks to Steve Hoskins for taking the pictures,
Gary McNew for cooking the hot dogs, and Linda
Bennett for organizing the event.

GARY McNEW'S TIP OF THE MONTH
“The Sound of Gold”
I have seen this question many times by club
members and other hunters I have met on the beach:
“Why does gold have such a wide range of sounds?”
Gold comes in many different Karat ratings. To make
these different Karats, gold is mixed or alloyed with
other metals such as silver, copper, tin, and nickel to
make it harder or to create different colors. A detector
identifies a metal object by its conductivity. Gold is a
poor conductor, but when mixed with other metals, that
conductivity increases. As the conductivity increases,
the tone reported by your detector increases. Other
things that will affect the sound a piece of gold creates
are the shape and size. A small pendent will not
produce the same tone as a large ring. So, get your
detector, head to the beach, have fun, and dig all of
those lower tones. It may be a pull-tab, a gum wrapper,
or it just might be the ring of your dreams.

BURIED COIN CACHE
FIRST CLUE:
Take Southern off Rte 95.
It will be about 2 miles+ when you arrive.
Search to the west
and hope for the best.
Rhyme Time:
The signal it gave me was very fickle
So I capped off with a nickel
After checking the new signal several times
I swapped the nickel for two dimes.
SECOND CLUE:
5 large live Oaks
Line the trail
If you have high expectations
You might not fail.
Item buried is a small vitamin container 2 3/4" long and
1 1/2 " in diameter. It is placed in a Ziploc® bag.

Burial of cache and the clues are provided by Irving
Smith. If found by a club member, that person will receive a
$25 prize AND earn the right to bury the next cache! Good
luck everyone! Start digging! Please fill all holes!
PLEASE REMEMBER OUR CODE OF ETHICS:
HAVE PERMISSION AND DO NO HARM

From Left: Judi & Willie Ray; Amy & Steve Hamedl;
Heather & Gary McNew; Irving Smith; and Bob Dobski

GARY’S REPORT ON THE
TCAS 23rd ANNUAL BENEFIT HUNT
Despite all the rain, a great time was had at the 23rd
Annual Treasure Coast Archeological Society Hunt in
Wabasso, Florida on March 13th. There were 59
hunters, including Gary & Heather McNew, Willie &
Judi Ray, Steve & Amy Hamedl, Irving Smith, and
Bob Dobski from the GCTC. The guys hunted while
the gals relaxed. Just over 1,200 silver dimes were
planted in the last hunt; the guys recovered over 100 of
them. Many prizes, provided by Garrett, were given
away, with Gary receiving a pair of headphones, Bob,
a screwdriver set and Irving, a travel bag.

****************************************
Newsletter corrections and/or suggestions
are welcomed by the editor

**********************************
HEADS UP FOR SHARKS!
On March 30th Jason Petenbrink emailed a
warning to Jan Smirnow that the beaches were closed
again due to sharks. Jason suggested, “Watch the
lifeguard stands before you jump in the water.”
Thanks, guys, for sharing that good advice that we all
should heed! (Remember: Safety first! Gold second!)

**********************************
CONTEST COMING IN AUGUST!
“WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR FINDS”
Don’t forget that our “What to Do with Your Finds
Contest” is coming. Members will be challenged to
submit entries made out of things they’ve found while
detecting. Silver prizes will be awarded in three
categories: Most Creative, Best Display and Most
Unusual. Members are not limited to the number of
entries that they can submit and everyone is
encouraged to participate.

$$

CLUB FUNDRAISER $$

My name is Andy Sabisch and many of you know me from the articles I’ve written being a field editor
for Lost Treasure Magazine for more than 20 years along with the books and web-articles I’ve written
since getting into treasure hunting more than 45 years ago. Based on the feedback I’ve received over
the years, I know that the information I’ve provided has helped you find more with the time you have
to spend in the field. I've collected countless books and magazines over the years and often refer
back to them looking for one tip, trick or technique that might just make the difference when hunting a
site that's been heavily hunted before or poses some special challenges.
I have just finished up a new book entitled "The Treasure Hunter's Handbook . . . Your Roadmap
to Success" and was designed to be just that - a roadmap that will help a novice get started or a
seasoned treasure hunter hone their skills and become even more proficient in the field. It was
written in a format that is different than past books which are dedicated to one specific type of hunting
or one specific make or model of equipment. It provides a compilation of proven tips and techniques
that can be applied to your specific form of hunting and in your area. There are appendices that
provide contact information for equipment vendors, service providers and more. References to
internet websites, forums and more are also included providing additional information on specific
brands and specific types of hunting.
Also included in the book is the 2010 Equipment Buyers Guide covering more than 125 metal
detectors from all major manufacturers worldwide. Are you interested in finding out what a particular
model weighs, what frequency it operates at or what controls it has? Do you want to compare several
models in make an informed purchasing decision? Well, the Buyers Guide has all this information in
an easy-to-read format that includes photos of each detector, information about the company, finds
made by users of the equipment and accessories that can help you do better with any make or model.
The book contains 256 pages and is 8.5"x11" in size . . . . . jammed full of useful information that
up until now has never been assembled in one location before. This will become your first place to go
when you have a question or are looking for a new or different idea to try out. It will help you make
informed buying decisions on all types of equipment.
As way of saying "THANKS" for purchasing a copy of the book and help your club raise some money
for the treasury to cover the cost of prizes and events, here’s a fundraising offer:

With each book purchased,
$5.00 will be donated to your club’s treasury!
Simply visit the website below and when you order , simply enter your club’s name in the field
under “Name or Inscription to Add” and as they say, the money will be in your club’s treasury!

http://www.SabischBooks.com
Andy Sabisch