[meteorite-list] Presentations

From: LJnewpers_at_aol.com <LJnewpers_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:16:36 2004
Message-ID: <124.2524bedb.2c7c38e0_at_aol.com>

During quick trips to Mexico I've followed the discussions re: public
presentations on meteorites. Amen!! Robert, Tracy, David et. al. You are so right. In
conjunction with a celebration of the centennial of flight, our local library
in Monument, Colorado allowed me to place an eye-catching display in their
main entry, In a LOCKED case I had irons from S/As to Gibeon, Toluca, Campos
both entire and cut and etched, several stones including the one I found in
Mexico, a huge Markovka, Gold Basin, Allende, several un-named NWAs, thin section
slides (including Taffasasett from Anne Black) and photos and lots more, all
with printed explanations of just what the folks were seeing and what they
represented and could tell us. Dr. Norton allowed me to reproduce graphics from his
two books. The real "crowd catchers" were a great lunar display of two slices
in a beautiful case lent by Fred Olsen, and my slice of Zagami which I got
from "The King", Bob Haag.

The display is there the entire month of August and has drawn huge interest.
Last Saturday I gave a presentation during which everyone was able to handle
several meteorites. This is a small library, so the staff set out 30 chairs,
expecting about 25 folks to show. When the crowd hit, ten more were set up, then
ten more, and more until the room could hold no more. Best turn-out ever!

What a beautiful feeling it was, to be able to share my limited knowledge
with such an enthusiatic group. This, my friends and fellow space rock collectors
is what it's all about: sharing your enthusiasm with others. They love it,
take enthusiasm with them and in turn share that with others.

And yes, several folks brought in their prized pieces of magnetite and I had
to break their hearts. Darn!

Follow-up on this is that the two main libraries in Colorado Springs now
would like the same display and talk next year. Between the two, hundreds if not
thousands of folks will be touched by these "Rocks From Space".

Botom line -- go out and share with others. It's fun, it's informative for
the public in ways they cannot otherwise get that information, and who knows,
somewhere along the line someone will bring in a real meteorite for you to, in
turn, get real excited about. It happened to Fred Olsen and it happened to me.
It can happen to you.

Larry Johnson
IMCA #6116
Received on Tue 26 Aug 2003 12:15:28 AM PDT