As we begin a New Year I wish to thank our membership for their confidence in electing me President. My thanks go out to Ted Izzo for his dedication since the Club’s founding. Following Ted is a tall order when you consider the intricacies required to keep this Club running. There aren’t many groups like Detecting Clubs which see interests fluctuate with the price of gold and silver. The holiday party has come and gone a good time was had by all congratulations to Rich Markert winner of the Garrett detector. Attendance was down from last year, but that left more of the excellent cuisine for all of us who did attend.

     They say “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. Our Club isn’t broke, but I think there are always ways to improve anything, our club included. As discussed in one of our earlier meetings, in addition to Finds of the Month, we will also have a Favorite Finds of the past year in different categories to include US Silver Coin, US Copper Coins, Buttons, Buckles, Gold & Silver Jewelry and perhaps others.

     I will work to get us more Club hunts for the coming years. What brings members together in this hobby is finding treasure. The more hunts we have, the more treasure we find. Several hunts are in the works and more are on the horizon. If anyone has potential spots we might look at please let the Site Coordinators know or contact me or any Board Member.   HAPPY HUNTING DON MITUZAS

As the years go by the cost of leveraging quality hunt sites gets higher and higher. Every dollar the Club retains is vital to the acquisition of productive land to detect. During 2013 P/WMD&AS lost significant revenue having to cover expenses incurred as a result of members failing to honor their commitments. Our search agreements are often formulated based on anticipated attendance. When numbers fall below expected levels the Club treasury must make up the difference and future hunts and other Club activities suffer the consequences. Two hunts this year fell significantly below the breakeven level. While the Fall Classic was a resounding success the Christmas Party ended in the red as no less than 8 people who had informed the Board that they would attend failed to arrive. This not only forced  payment of meals not eaten but also significantly reduced anticipated raffle income. Of the approximately 43 members signed up for the dinner only one “no show” had the courtesy of informing the Tap House that they would be unable to attend. There are always circumstances which are beyond one’s control, #$@! happens as the saying goes. In the case of the Christmas Party a phone call 48 hours before the event would have been sufficient to allow the head count to be adjusted so that we did not have to pay for  meals not served. We have an exciting year ahead of is in 2014. Dues have been reduced in an effort to attract new members and to keep past members in the fold. Every dollar taken in must be wisely used. If you say that you are going to participate in a club sponsored event please make a conscious effort to honor that commitment. If #$@! happens kindly let a Board member know so that the appropriate change in plans can be made and resources conserved.

                                                                      Christmas 2014

For the second year in a row P/WMD&AS beat the odds and enjoyed a snowless day for the annual Christmas Party. It was nice to be “home again” in Mahopac at the Route 6 Tap House. For many years the Christmas Party was held at this location while under a different name.  Thirty four members and guests enjoyed good food and excellent bar choices provided by the friendly staff of the Tap House.

A near record number of raffle prizes were available including a pulse induction water machine from Garrett. Many members donated items to this raffle which helped bring down the cost to the Club and added to the excitement of the evening. Special thanks to Ken Sterling and Dennis Luria for their most generous support. The festivities were highlighted by the presentation of a Club plaque to retiring President and co-founder Ted Izzo. Ted initiated the Club nearly 17 years ago and has served as its only President since inception. The entire membership wishes Ted good health and good hunting as he assumes his new role as President emeritus and co-site coordinator.

Fall Classic

P/WMD&AS drew the long straw for this year’s Fall Classic held in Fairfield, Connecticut. Unlike the curse of Sandy which forced the cancellation of last season’s event this year’s weather was picture perfect. The event was well attended and proved to be a financial success as well.  Changes were made in this year’s format. Although two separate seeded hunts were held the silver hunt featured silver coins being concealed directly in the sand. In addition, the search for the gold coin was enhanced by challenging contestants to find “selected” treasure rings in order to earn tickets for the gold coin raffle. This change in venue proved to be the “winning ticket” for long time member Ken Carlson whose ring led the correct path to taking home the gold. The pot luck lunch was much enjoyed by all. Special thanks are given to Ben Carter and Carol Mayers who did most of the cooking making sure that kielbasa, hot dogs and hamburgers were ready when the combatants had cleared the sand. The concept of a pot luck lunch has proven very beneficial to the Club as it is relatively inexpensive, eliminates the loss of revenue caused by weather related cancellation and loss of catered items, and provides a wide variety of culinary choices. Next year’s classic will have additional targets added to the non-silver and silver hunts and will feature an additional challenge to the lucky winner of the gold coin.

Hunt Review (Why We Exist)

Everyone who joins P/WMD&AS derives numerous levels of satisfaction and enjoyment from the experience. Whether it is the camaraderie at TTs, sharing stories during break at the monthly meetings,

learning helpful hints from  more experienced hunters  or finding new places to swing a coil, all aspects add to the enjoyment of this madness we call detecting. Deep down (no pun intended) however, the real reason we are a club is to promote the positive image of the hobby and to get as many members as possible detecting on potentially productive ground. This year we had several very productive hunts (and one or two not so much).  It is no secret that P/WMD&AS does not “broadcast” its finds. We work hard to obtain our hunt sites and the finds which are recovered from them.  At the end of the year, however, it is fun to do the HAPPY DANCE while recalling some of the WOW factors recovered in the field. So put on your dancing shoes and enjoy the music:

South East NY Hunt: Three coppers, one silver coin, several silver rings, at least one vintage token, a number of silver ear rings and approximately $50.00 in common coins. This hunt was well attended (19 members) & we have been given permission from the land owner to return again next year.

Adirondack Hunt: Timing for this hunt proved to be poor. Many members wanting to attend had previous commitments or had unanticipated conflicts at the last moment. For those who did attend this was a blessing as it eliminated most of the competition with only 4 members making the long drive to the lake. Weather was good and so were the accommodations. The hunting was FANTASTIC with nearly $200 worth of silver recovered. The Club can return next year and we will try to get this trip scheduled in time to give ample notice to the membership.

Church Camp Hunt: This was a new property for the Club but it had been hunted before by a number of Detectorists. Although the weather was good only a limited number of members (appx. 6) showed up. Finds were surprisingly scarce although those who stuck it out did make a few recoveries, among the better ones were: a Mercury dime, one shield nickel, a silver ear ring and an Eddie Bauer watch. Clads were scarce but several dollars worth were recovered. The land owner has invited us back next year. This is a huge property and there is potential here. We may give it another try if we can find no greener pastures elsewhere and if a sufficient number of members agree to attend so that the cost of the hunt does not negatively impact the Club’s coffers.

June Cash Bash Hunt:  In June the landowners of the property we were expecting to hunt recanted their verbal agreement leaving us without a hunt site. Thanks to the effort of former members Jerry Burr and Jessie Thompson we were able to join in on Jerry’s Cash Bash hunt in north eastern Connecticut. There were some very good finds made by some of those participating although many hunters came away with empty pouches. Fred Shipman managed to recover a silver dime and Steve Barrett dug a copper so P/WMD&AS members did not have to fly the skunk flag while leaving the field.

Merry Old England: Member Todd Olson and past member Karl Johnson went to England this summer to test the waters (or should we say fields) across the Atlantic. Both did very well. We anxiously await a report of their finds and will have some basic information available soon for members who may be anticipating an overseas adventure, coil in hand. Can you say “Hammered Silver”!!?

Election 2013

Elections  were held in November. The club will now have some new faces serving on the Board of Directors and also in advisory and supportive areas. Don Mituzas was elected President succeeding founder and now President Emeritus Ted Izzo who will be acting as Co-Site Coordinator. Rich Markert will retain his post as Vice-President and Larry Cohen will continue as Club Treasurer. Don Mayers will serve another term as the Club’s Secretary. We are pleased to announce that Dennis Luria will share the long vacant post of Site Coordinator along with Ted. This is a very important aspect of the Club’s success and we wish both members good luck in this difficult position. With the gradual dissolution of the Club’s library holdings there is no longer a need for a librarian. Carol Mayers will continue to assume the duties of Newsletter Editor with the understanding that the Hudson Valley Explorer will go to press twice a year. Articles for inclusion should be given to her directly at the monthly meetings.

Web Site

www.greattreasure.com

It is anticipated that there will be some modifications to the Club’s Web Site during the upcoming year.

The Web is a very important link to all Club members and should be used in conjunction with e-mails and calling posts to ensure that all members are up to date regarding Club activities. Currently we are working on a venue to enable members to share, sell or swap items of detecting interest. This service will benefit Club members only with NO funds reverting to the Club treasury.

Thank You

The success of the Club comes from the efforts of many individuals and businesses. A vote of thanks is due the following folks who have stepped up to give P/WMD&AS a helping hand. Please give them your support in any way possible.

Patty Osmer for her advertising skills in recruiting new members.

Dennis Luria for continued support in providing raffle prizes.

Ken Sterling whose generosity has been an inspiration to all of us.

Tom Tom’s Bagel Café (1515 Route 22 Ste D2 Brewster, NY 10509) for hosting MANY Board Meetings.

Kellyco Metal Detectors Super Store (Toll free (800-488-5694) for great buys on raffle prizes.

Ed Zehall Valley Coins Seymour, CT ((203) 888-3001) donations & great deals for the Fall Classic.

Garrett Metal Detectors for providing a wonderful detector for this year’s Christmas Party

Jarrod and all the folks at Route 6 Tap House Mahopac, NY for their efforts during the Christmas Party.