There are plenty of fields now open but finding if there were any homes on them is a horse of another color. I try to research using the 1877 atlas of the Eastern Shore which has maps of the era showing existing homes. I]m also trying to learn more about GPS, having acquired a portable one, and this may benefit us in the future. I]m currently wired in "beginner mode" so time will tell.

2011 was a great year for the club with new members, new hunt places, lots of fun and good friends. I don't know how we'll improve on it but we'll try - hang in there. With that being said, on to the hunt report...

I asked permission from Mrs. R. for us to hunt at a spot where we had last hunted not quite a year ago. The name of the road the property is on lends a bit of truth to rumors of there being a Northern camp nearby during the Civil War. Many nice things were found here on our previous outing and since it is such a huge field, I thought it was worth another hunt. I also lined up another spot about a half mile down the road owned by the cousin of Mrs. R. This property was even larger and had also produced some nifty items on a previous visit.

16 of us set out from the old clubhouse at approximately 8:30 and since we were less than three or four miles away, it didn't take long to get there. Mrs. R. had asked us not to park near the shed or irrigation system on the property and I passed this along to my fellow Seekers. After suiting up and tuning our machines, it didn't take long for the finds to appear. Members found wheat pennies, buttons, buckles and the like throughout the morning, with a couple of large British coppers coming to light before lunch.

I had arranged for us to eat at Lombardi's. They were having a large party in at 1:00 so asked if we could be there a bit earlier than usual so they could accommodate both groups. This wasn’t a problem and we were at the restaurant by 11:45. We had a great lunch served in short order and we were back on the road to site number two in under an hour.

The afternoon hunt was at a large, beautiful soybean field cut level to the ground - our kind of hunt site. I pointed out the boundaries and away we went looking for General Lee's lost buttons. Over the course of the afternoon I saw some wheaties, a few Indian heads, neat buttons, a few buckles and a handful of Britain's famous George II coins.

The weather was great for our hobby and we hunted until approximately 4:00, when it was time to head for home. Both sites were excellent and there was a little something for everyone. Some good finds were made but most importantly, everyone had fun which is our main objective.

This is our time of year for field hunting. There are lots of open fields and we've had excellent weather so far so hang in there: good things are happening and more are coming!

I've mentioned it before but it bears repeating that our brother clubs on the Western Shore are working hard to open lands owned by the railroads to detecting. Clubs in New York have also been meeting with local officials to open parks closed to detecting for years. A goal for us in the future should be something similar here: working to open up state parks, railroad lands and properties owned by lumber companies and the like where old homes used to stand. This should be an objective and we'll accept any help from members in contacting the proper people.

Don't forget to get your 2012 dues in! The yearly fee is $25 for the club, $5 for FMDAC. Membership runs from January 1 to December 31 no matter when you join - we don’t have pro-rated dues. Mail your dues directly to Barbara at her address.

Please make checks payable to SHORE SEEKERS.

If you haven't paid, this is the last newsletter you will receive.

It's not too early to start thinking about our member's only hunt. Come up with some ideas for hunts and prizes and share them with the officers. Also, we need to think if we'd like to have another spring picnic like last year. If so, would it suit better in April or May? Was the location of last year's hunt okay with everyone or should we look elsewhere? Please add your input so a few of us don't have to make all the plans and do all the work.

With the approval of the rest of the officers, I've appointed fellow Seeker Craig East as official club site historian/researcher. Craig is retired and enjoys looking into the history of potential hunt sites. If you know of a possible hunt spot, tell Craig about it and he’ll try to locate it on old maps and do research to let us know whether it's worth our while to detect it. Based on what Craig learns, we'll do our best to find out who the owner of the property is and then seek permission.

Congratulations to Ed Donovan, our 2011 Treasure Hunter of the Year, and to Keith Kalmbach for his beautiful diamond ring which was our 2011 Find of the Year. There were some great entries but only one can be the winner.

That's all for now. We've got lots to talk about and do and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at the meeting on February 13 and definitely at the hunt on the 18th, weather permitting. Keep looking for spots and let me or the other officers know if you need help. Be sure to toot and wave at the guy with the detector you see in the field - it might be me!

Bill Draper,
President
(and Huntmaster)

The last meeting of the SHORE SEEKERS Artifact and Recovery Club was held on Monday, January 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mt. Hermon UMC Community Hall.

The winner of the 1974 uncirculated US Mint Set/ First Day Cover combo was Doug Wilkerson.

Rita and Charlie Jones of Mt. Vernon, Billy Joe Miller of Salisbury, Ron Carter of Centreville and Scott MacLane of Stevensville became our newest members. Jeff and Elaine Anderson of Ocean Pines joined the club last month but as there were no official minutes from the December meeting, they were not formally recognized at that time. Richard Carter, cousin of Ron, was present as a guest.

We also welcomed former member Richard Davey back to the club.

Magazine raffle winners were Ed Donovan, Ron Carter, B.J. Miller and Craig East. Thanks to Barbara and Bill for donating the magazines and thanks also to Richard Davey for donating a book which will be used as a hunt prize later in the year.

CORRESPONDENCE

Extra copies of THE SEEKER were also available.

OLD BUSINESS

The minutes were approved as distributed.

The treasurer gave her report.

Scott MacLane, President of the Eastern Shore Treasure Club, told of the success that his club had with their recent month-long coin raffle. There were several winners but unfortunately none of them were Shore Seekers. Based on how well this auction went, the ESTC might plan to have another later in the year.

Bill mentioned the possibility of working on a joint hunt with the ESTC. Members of both clubs think this would be a good idea.

NEW BUSINESS

Millard made a motion to retain the current officers for another term. This was seconded by several people and passed overwhelmingly.

We chose our 2011 Treasure Hunter of the Year and Find of the Year. Results of these competitions are located elsewhere in the newsletter.

Bill and several other members answered various questions about club hunts and other activities for our new members.

CLUB HUNT

The hunt site for our January hunt has not been determined. Please watch your e-mail for further details.

The winner of the 50/50 raffle was Richard Carter. Mr. Carter kindly donated his winnings back to the club.

Julie Pryor,
Secretary

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