Geologist Mike Howard speaks at the next Awesome Autumn evening

The third Awesome Autumn lecture will be held at the Crater of Diamonds Diamond Discovery Center upper deck on Saturday, October 17^th. Michael Howard, a long time geologist with the Arkansas Geological Commission, will present a program called “A mineral tour around Arkansas: a look at the state’s mineral marvels!”  Because of his long career with the AGC, Mike has an encyclopedic knowledge of Arkansas’s fascinating geology and the many locations where mineral crystals can be collected. He and his wife Darcy are the authors of “Collecting Crystals: the guide to quartz in Arkansas”, which not only tells the reader where to hunt for quartz crystals, but also how to clean and prepare the crystal for display.

For the Awesome Autumn lecture his topic is “A mineral tour around Arkansas: a look at the state’s mineral marvels!”  From the lead-zinc mines of northern Arkansas to the diamonds here at the Crater of Diamonds State Park, Mike will have stories and tips on how to find your own specimens.

The following Saturday, October 24^th, you can start Halloween week off right with our next Awesome Autumn speaker, Rachel Miller.  Rachel is the Education Outreach Coordinator for the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.  Rachel loves the folklore of the Natural State, and has collected a number of true ghost stories from Arkansas’s past.  So, if you are one of those people who just loves a good scare, join Rachel at 7: 30 PM at the Diamond Discovery Center here at the park as she recounts some tales of ghostly history!

Field last plowed:  September 30, 2009

Diamond finds for October 5 - 8, 2009

October 5 - Mark & Gail Willits, Fayetteville, AR, 5 pt. white, 6 pt. white

October 6 - Maureen Sheetz, Grand Junction, CO, 11 pt. white

October 8 - Tom Suboski, Fostoria, MI, 3 pt. white, 10 pt. white, 39 pt. yellow, 1.32 ct. brown; Joe & Rita Walker, Hartford, AR, 11 pt. yellow