This is Throwback Thursday #208.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc …), please send them to esconi.info@gmail.com.  Thanks!

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25 Years Ago – April 1999

• The ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil show for 1999 was a huge success!
• The General Meeting for April 1999 was “Ancient Life in Illinois” presented by Ray Wiggers.
• The Micro/Mineralogy Study Group was discussing agates.
• The MAPS show for 1999 was held from April 2th-4th, 1999.

50 Years Ago – April 1974

• The General Meeting was the ESCONI Junior Festival.  Speakers were Charles and Patricia Armstrong.
• There was a field trip to the Chicago Academy of Science in Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL.
• The Mineralogy Study Group was discussing color in gems and minerals.
• Rich Rock was the speaker at the Paleontology Study Group Meeting.
• The newsletter had an article entitled “The Diamond” by junior member Lynn Lavidge.
• The fossil of the month was Bandringa rayi by John Anderson.
• Member Fred Labahn did a nice article entitled “The Middle Devonian Formations of Southwestern Canada”.

70 Years Ago – April 1954

• Chairman Jay Farr thought things were getting a little “springy” around the edges.
• “Rocky Mountain Flora” was the subject of the General Meeting.
•  There was a field trip to the Thorton Quarry in early April.
• ESCONI Juniors were talking about coal – formation, chemistry, mining, and uses were all covered.
• Diamond is the Birthstone for April.