Con't. from pg. 3

THE WINNERS STORY 

Ernie becomes the first 2-time winner and his 2^nd plaque on the shovel clearly illustrates this achievement.

Ernie’s display of pink fluorite specimens, and gem stones accompanied by smoky quartz specimens were a treat in themselves.

Ernie starts us off by showing us the alpine town of Chamonix, France. From there we join the master collector on a trip that definitely had a few surprises and kept them all on their toes. He hooked up with some French collecting guides and proceeded by helicopter to a collecting site high in the Alps. But the helicopter did not land he had to jump out of the helicopter onto a very small ledge on the side of the mountain. From their landing site, they hiked (mountain climbed) to the collecting area.

The area was a small work site on the side of the mountain with 1,000 ft. cliff drop off.  Ernie’s 1^st job was to get rid of a 3ft block of ice (in July) that was blocking the pocket. They worked the pocket for about 4 hours and then they had to pack up to get back to the helicopter pick up sight. Ernie’s had some major weight concerns anticipating the upcoming leap to the helicopter adventure which made him want to keep his pack as light as possible. They made there way to the helicopter pick up site but the helicopter was late (3 hrs. late). During that time Ernie asked (not in a concerned manner) his French collecting pals what would happen if the helicopter couldn’t make the pick up. It went something like this.

French collecting pal: “We will climb down.”

Ernie: “How long will it take me?”

French collecting pal: “I was referring to myself and my colleagues.  You are not able or capable to climb down.”

Well, you guessed it.  The helicopter showed up just before dark and Ernie lost some of his youth while jumping off the ledge into the hovering helicopter. 

Sponsors Trophy

Chris Wong of Millbury Ma. won the Sponsors award. He displayed his first “big” self- collected specimen, a Herkimer Diamond. His story recounting this first major mineral specimen find was one we all could relate to. The excitement of opening that crystal pocket and the life long pursuit, ( obsession ) it started, made a great entertaining story. 

About the event. The Field Collectors Award is held annually during the October Sunapee Gem & Mineral Show in Sunapee New Hampshire. It is opened to anyone that wants to enter. Just present a self-collected specimen with a story (no time limitation on when it was collected). Just register at the booth of Toveco Specimen Mining at the Sunapee Gem & Mineral Show. There is also a Judges and contestant social get together with a desert and beverage buffet.

First prizes is $200.00 cash prize with their personalized name plaque placed on the award shovel and Field Collectors Award Trophy.

2^nd prize-The sponsor’s Trophy.

The pictures will be available shortly on the website as well as the history and previous stories of the collectors award.