February 4, 2008

Torrance County Archeological Society

February 4, 2008

Estancia Upper Elementary School

The meeting was called to order by Gloria Pohl, Vice President.

The minutes for January, 2008 were read and approved.

Treasurer’s Report:  Billye gave the following report:

Beginning Balance, January 1, 2008$1424.76

Ending Balance, February 4, 2008$1345.76

Billye stated the expenditures for January included $199.00 to Joe Keefe for the purchase of the sound system, and dues of $35.00 to the Alb. Archaeological Society and Archaeological Soc of NM.  Income was $150 from dues for 2008.  She again reminded everyone that yearly dues were now due.

Library Report:  Marion not here, thus no report.

Program Report:  Bill gave thanks to Dr. Fletcher for a wonderful program.  He stated the speaker for March is Jerry Simmons who will talk about the history of glass at historical sites.

Announcements:  Joe Keefe stated the Torrance County Local Emergency Council meeting date has been changed to February 27.  He stated anyone interested in participating in this to contact him.

Guests:  Donn and  Jan Gallahue were introduced.

Old Business:  Sharon has sent everyone via e-mail the updated membership list.  Everyone is encouraged to print their own copies.

Site Watch Training:  This has been scheduled for Saturday, Feb 23 at 9:30 AM here at the library.  Phil Young will provide the training.   The training will be in the morning followed by a visit to a site in the afternoon.  Those interested in participating will need a 4X4 vehicle to visit some of the sites.  The following people expressed interest in participating in the training:  Joe Keefe, Cathy Lynch, John Hayden, Linda & Roy McConkey, Jan Cool, Ladd Hagemaier, and Linda Benz.

Field Trips:  A field trip to Lemitar Shelter is scheduled for Saturday, April 26th.  There will be more information at the next meeting.

Caps/T-shirt committee:  Joe Keefe stated he has come up with 3 possible designs for a logo but would like more input from others.  He requested anyone who has a good picture (not digital) that could be used as a logo for a T-shirt or cap to contact him.  He stated we need something to distinguish our members when working with other groups such as the NPS.

New Business:  A thank you was given to those who provided food for the evening:  Sue Harvey, John Hayden, Earl and Billye Head, and Gloria Pohl.

Web Site:  Don Giles has turned the TCAS web site over to Bill Simms.  The website address is:  www.TCASNM.org.  Bill stated that people should check out the web site and see what we have done.  John Hayden stated 10 years ago, TCAS received a grant to survey old historic sites, interview old timers and catalog old pictures.  One of the pages on the web site is about this project.  He would like to finish this project but needs help with indexing photos etc.  Anyone interested, please contact him.

Meeting was adjourned.

Attendance: Don Giles, Bonnie Long, Barbara & B ill Simms, Donna Wright, Jan & Don Gallahue, Jeff & Flo Laird, Sue Harvey, Gloria Pohl, Ed Stevens, Nancy Nortz, Cathy Lynch, Joe Keefe, Jan Cool, Ladd Hagemaier, Billye Head, Roy & Linda McConkey, Catherine Purley, Leslie Chavez, Gary Skaggs, Pete Golden, Nancy DePriest, Linda Benz, John Hayden, Alma Wimsatt, Mel & Della Stephenson, Dr. Fletcher.

Speaker for the Evening:  Dr. Milford Fletcher, a retired NPS scientist gave a fascinating program on the pictographs of central Baja California.  These pictographs are located in caves that are very isolated and difficult to get to.  The starting point is from St. Ignacio.  A permit is required and access to the caves is with a professional guide.  Carbon dating of some of the Clovis points (not the pictographs) found there shows the caves were occupied about 10,000 years ago. The paintings are in red and black and are of people, some 9 feet tall and of animals such as bighorn sheep and deer.  Many of the figures are half red and half black.  No one knows what the significance of this.  The paintings were probably done between the birth of Christ and 500 AD.