TROTTER DUMP FRANKLIN, NEW JERSEY

as of APRIL 28, 2007

Sterling Hill “Super Dig” * April 28, 2007 

 Why “super” dig? 

 The Trotter Dump has been a regular feature for the annual ‘dig’ for many years and has provided lots of collecting fun and success for many glowhounds. 

 But…  all good things come to an end eventually.  Often, though, something new comes along to take its place.  The Trotter Dig area has been closed by the owner this year, but the Sterling Hill Mining Museum not only has “dig in the ground” areas but there is also the mine and the giant conveyor and other machinery that was used by the NJ Zinc mining company.  Much of that property has never been open to the public; only a few privileged folks have even seen it since the mine closed. 

 One of the intriguing situations at the Sterling Hill mine is that it appears to have been running normally one moment and just “shut off” the next moment, with everything left just as it was at the moment things were shut down.  In fact, the ore from the mine that was on the conveyor at that moment is still sitting on the conveyor belt!  (More about that later…) 

 The hours for this event are extended from previous years – they will be from 9 a.m. through 11 p.m.

A night dig has never been offered to the public at Sterling Hill before – only Foundation members have had that experience. This year, it will be open to all participants of the Super Dig.  

 There will NOT be a difference between ‘daytime’ poundage fee and ‘night time’ fee – so there will be no need to close down and re-open for evening/night time collecting.  In addition, the age limits this year are more accepting:  age 13 and above will be allowed in the “pits” and age 9 and above will be permitted in the “mine run dump area.”  Of course, safety equipment and clothing will be very important. 

 Have you seen the “fluorescent wall” lit up at night at the Trotter Diggg?  Did you know that there is also a fluorescent wall at Sterling Hill?  This wall has only been “lit up” with UV light for very special foundation member’s only events. At that time it was found that there is a “horse head” that appears on the wall when it is lit with the UV light.  What is intriguing is that the company logo for the NJ Zinc company, that ran this operation, was a horse head!  VERY STRANGE INDEED!! We will light up the Sterling Hill wall this year… a rare and special event. 

 Preparing for this super event, last fall and early winter excavation equipment was brought in to the dig area and TENS of TONS of new material has been pulled down from the mountain into the dig area, so there will be oodles of fresh dig opportunity this year.  

 This year the admission fee, which is the same as it has been for many years, will also include a tour of the MINE as well as the mining museum, conducted by the “docents” (knowledgeable guides) from the museum.  At about 7 p.m. there are plans to have a special “blackout” tour of the mine so those with UV lamps can explore the fluorescence IN the mine itself.   

 In addition, around mid-afternoon there will be a staff-guided tour of the upper mining operations. This area is not open to the public, and has never been open as a regular tour. This area will be open only on this one day, for those participating in the Super Dig.  This will be a “camera rich” day as well as a “mineral rich” day! You will get to see the mining equipment up close, in person. 

 Still more… the Ellis Observatory is now located with the mining museum and weather permitting (not cloudy) those interested will be able to observe the heavens through the telescopes of the observatory. 

 Are you still asking: “what makes this a SUPER dig?” 

 Well, we mentioned the inside tour of the upper mining operations and the conveyor belt that carried the ore from the mine earlier in this letter.  Special arrangements have been made that every person attending the Super Dig will be able to pick “a special piece” of ore directly off the conveyor as a collector’s item.  Remember, this is THE last ore that came out of the mine – the ore that was ON the conveyor at the exact time the mine operations were shut down.  This opportunity might never happen again. 

 Registration has been open for about a week, and on-line registration will be open until 8 p.m on Monday, April 23^rd  --  we urge you to register on-line and early, as this avoids many errors and keeps the check-in process at the Dig better organized.  We need to close on-line registration on Monday because all of the check-in and registration papers are pre-printed with your information, so that you don’t spend time filling out forms when you arrive in the morning.   

 For further information and details about the 2007 Super Dig, maps, directions, pictures from previous Trotter Digggs, local hotels and motels, and of course the link to on-line registration, visit our web site at:      http://www.UVworld.org 

 Reminder:  be sure to review the Safety Handbook (link is just under the photo on main web page) as well as the insurance requirements and Federation safety rules (links on the Trip Info page). 

 I look forward to seeing old friends and new faces this year. 

 Jeff Winkler

Tripmaster – Sterling Hill Super Dig 

AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.

-----------------
Forwarded Message:

Sterling Hill “Super Dig” * April 28, 2007 

Why “super” dig? 

The Trotter Dump has been a regular feature for the annual ‘dig’ for many years and has provided lots of collecting fun and success for many glowhounds. 

But…  all good things come to an end eventually.  Often, though, something new comes along to take its place.  The Trotter Dig area has been closed by the owner this year, but the Sterling Hill Mining Museum not only has “dig in the ground” areas but there is also the mine and the giant conveyor and other machinery that was used by the NJ Zinc mining company.  Much of that property has never been open to the public; only a few privileged folks have even seen it since the mine closed. 

One of the intriguing situations at the Sterling Hill mine is that it appears to have been running normally one moment and just “shut off” the next moment, with everything left just as it was at the moment things were shut down.  In fact, the ore from the mine that was on the conveyor at that moment is still sitting on the conveyor belt!  (More about that later…) 

The hours for this event are extended from previous years – they will be from 9 a.m. through 11 p.m.

A night dig has never been offered to the public at Sterling Hill before – only Foundation members have had that experience. This year, it will be open to all participants of the Super Dig.  

There will NOT be a difference between ‘daytime’ poundage fee and ‘night time’ fee – so there will be no need to close down and re-open for evening/night time collecting.  In addition, the age limits this year are more accepting:  age 13 and above will be allowed in the “pits” and age 9 and above will be permitted in the “mine run dump area.”  Of course, safety equipment and clothing will be very important. 

Have you seen the “fluorescent wall” lit up at night at the Trotter Diggg?  Did you know that there is also a fluorescent wall at Sterling Hill?  This wall has only been “lit up” with UV light for very special foundation member’s only events. At that time it was found that there is a “horse head” that appears on the wall when it is lit with the UV light.  What is intriguing is that the company logo for the NJ Zinc company, that ran this operation, was a horse head!  VERY STRANGE INDEED!! We will light up the Sterling Hill wall this year… a rare and special event. 

Preparing for this super event, last fall and early winter excavation equipment was brought in to the dig area and TENS of TONS of new material has been pulled down from the mountain into the dig area, so there will be oodles of fresh dig opportunity this year.  

This year the admission fee, which is the same as it has been for many years, will also include a tour of the MINE as well as the mining museum, conducted by the “docents” (knowledgeable guides) from the museum.  At about 7 p.m. there are plans to have a special “blackout” tour of the mine so those with UV lamps can explore the fluorescence IN the mine itself.   

In addition, around mid-afternoon there will be a staff-guided tour of the upper mining operations. This area is not open to the public, and has never been open as a regular tour. This area will be open only on this one day, for those participating in the Super Dig.  This will be a “camera rich” day as well as a “mineral rich” day! You will get to see the mining equipment up close, in person. 

Still more… the Ellis Observatory is now located with the mining museum and weather permitting (not cloudy) those interested will be able to observe the heavens through the telescopes of the observatory. 

Are you still asking: “what makes this a SUPER dig?” 

Well, we mentioned the inside tour of the upper mining operations and the conveyor belt that carried the ore from the mine earlier in this letter.  Special arrangements have been made that every person attending the Super Dig will be able to pick “a special piece” of ore directly off the conveyor as a collector’s item.  Remember, this is THE last ore that came out of the mine – the ore that was ON the conveyor at the exact time the mine operations were shut down.  This opportunity might never happen again. 

Registration has been open for about a week, and on-line registration will be open until 8 p.m on Monday, April 23^rd  --  we urge you to register on-line and early, as this avoids many errors and keeps the check-in process at the Dig better organized.  We need to close on-line registration on Monday because all of the check-in and registration papers are pre-printed with your information, so that you don’t spend time filling out forms when you arrive in the morning.   

For further information and details about the 2007 Super Dig, maps, directions, pictures from previous Trotter Digggs, local hotels and motels, and of course the link to on-line registration, visit our web site at:      http://www.UVworld.org 

Reminder:  be sure to review the Safety Handbook (link is just under the photo on main web page) as well as the insurance requirements and Federation safety rules (links on the Trip Info page). 

I look forward to seeing old friends and new faces this year. 

Jeff Winkler

Tripmaster – Sterling Hill Super Dig 

=====================================================================

You are visitor # since May 13, 2007

Back to Top