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Show Niebel Wins Awards At San Diego Meet Bill Niebel, local rockhound and lapidary, returned from San Diego where he received several awards for his work in teaching lapidary skills to Panguitch youngsters. Niebel concludes his term as president of the Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies on October 1. He was awarded plaques and certificates from both the RMFMS and the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies at the awards dinner at the national gem and mineral show which took place July 12-15 in the southern California coastal city. The show was arranged by the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies and sponsored by the AFMS where many thousands of show visitors viewed some 300 cases and exhibits of gems and minerals. During the past school year without charge to the school district, Niebel taught a regular course of study developing lapidary skills. The young people who enrolled for the special classes at the lapidary center located in the old school district offices learned to polish the semi-precious stones and make them into a variety of jewelry items and gifts. Some 88 young people have joined the local group who call themselves the "Future Rockhounders of America." They held their first gem and mineral show May 3-5 in Panguitch. The show netted them $400 which they used to provide a scholarship for a graduating senior. The lucky winner of the scholarship was Kris Barney, son of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Barney. At the "pickle barrel" session of the San Diego show where Federation members from all over the U.S. spoke extemporaneously as they received their awards, Niebel told the group about the successful activities taking place in Panguitch with young people and the lapidary arts. The Panguitch youth group will be officially chartered with the AMMS when school takes up again in the fall. With such a charter club members will be able to display their collections and the crafts they have made in shows all over the west. President of the Future Rockhounders of America is Dale Ipson, vice president is Sean Murphy, secretary is Michelle Linford and treasurer is Heidi Hep worth. Hi 'tlBgH Bill Niebel |