PLP fundraiser promises fun for all

 

There's no need for lederhosen at this Octoberfest. While there will be the traditional brats to fill your belly, you'll be more comfortable wearing desert-appropriate clothing than leather shorts or dirndls.

Sleepy Bear Mining near Randsburg, Calif. and American Prospector Treasure Seeker of Temecula, Calif. will host Octoberfest, a Public Lands for the People fundraiser, at Sleepy Bear Mine Oct. 18 and 19.

PLP is a mining rights advocacy group that fights to keep public lands open to the public for all outdoors enthusiasts, including fishermen, hunters, off-roaders, hikers and bikers and miners.

Organizer Jim Jeffrey said he wants to make it perfectly clear that while Octoberfest supports prospecting, the event is not exclusive to miners. It's open to all outdoorsmen, women and children. And, the event will feature non-prospecting activities from visiting the nearby historical town of Randsburg to off-roading in the desert and roasting marshmallows around the campfire.

"As gold prospectors, keeping our lands open is very important, but it's not just for miners; it's for anybody that has anything to do with the outdoors. We just happen to be more involved on the prospecting end," Jeffrey said.

A love for getting out into nature is something Jeffrey and his wife, Sue, owners of American Prospector Treasure Seeker, have passed down to their 37-year-old daughter, Kristie Jeffrey-Whitfield, who now has two children of her own.

"My parents did a lot of camping and riding motorcycles. We were always at the river," she said. "I'm not used to being stuck inside, and having those things being taken away is frustrating at this point in life, especially with our kids ... we're trying to keep our kids off the computer and away from the TV as much as possible. And, it seems like these government agencies are going through the process to try and close down access to public lands, where we have a right to be."

Ultimately, the event is an opportunity to bring various outdoor groups together in unity, she said.

"For this particular event, we are hoping to bring different types of outdoor groups together — not just prospectors, but off-roaders, dirt bikers and other people who are running into the same problems we are," Jeffrey-Whitfield said.

And, Dad agrees whole-heartedly.

Jeffrey said he is worried about future generations and the overpowering technology trend.

"Our society is going to hell in a hand basket where our kids are concerned. We encourage people to bring their kids to our outings. We want them to experience the outdoors the way we experienced it when we were growing up and the way my kids experienced it," he said.

Jeffrey witnesses it at his prospecting store in Temecula, Calif. all the time.

"We have people coming into our store and they tell us, 'I'm tired of what my kids are doing. I need to get them in the outdoors.' Or, the opposite; we have kids dragging parents in the store saying, 'I want to get outdoors,' " he said.

Octoberfest is just one tool that will help to maintain that balance and allow outdoors enthusiasts to bond and break free from the daily grind, Jeffrey said.

"I think being active and getting outside is a vital part of keeping life balanced," he said.

Neighboring prospectors in Arizona and Nevada have expressed interest, and the organizers are hoping for a turnout in the hundreds. 

Jeffrey asks anyone planning to attend the event to register online by Sept. 22 at  to www.aptsgold.com/Drywashing-Gold.html, so event organizers can plan for plenty of food for the barbecue, which will serve up everything from chicken to tri-tip to brisket.

"I don't want people going home without a full belly," he said.

The cost of the event is $30 for adults. Children under 17 and under are admitted free, however organizers have asked  for a $6 donation for children participating in the barbecue. The donations will cover the cost of the barbecue, raffle items, and restroom rentals, but the greatest goal is to send PLP off with a hefty donations to keep the organization fighting for land rights, Jeffrey said. The $30 donation is not only a meal ticket, but it gives each participant 12 tickets for the 2015 PLP raffle, five tickets for a gold nugget raffle in December and five more tickets for a raffle that will take place Saturday night at the event.

The event will also include two days of prospecting and mining seminars.

Pat Keene of Keene Engineering will also attend the event, Jeffrey said.

"Master chef Pat Keene will be there," he said. "So, get registered, come out and enjoy the weekend."

PLP Vice President Walt Wegner is grateful to the Jeffreys for their loyal support.

"Jim and Sue have been longtime supporters of PLP. For years, they've held outings, donated items to our raffles, and raffled stuff off at their local GPAA chapter," said PLP Vice President Walt Wegner.

The Octoberfest event was actually inspired by a PLP fundraiser that the Jeffreys hosted in the spring. Even though it was held on a Wednesday, the outing drew nearly 100 participants.

"We're really hoping the Octoberfest PLP Fundraiser is gonna be big and bring a lot of GPAA people, local clubs, and non-club members together." Wegner said. "Our goal is to bring everyone closer together."

He also gave kudos to Sleepy Bear Mine owner Joe Martori for his contribution to keeping public lands open for the people, and for hosting the Octoberfest event at his claim.

"Joe is so generous," Wegner said. "He's opening up his claim, and not doing business for two days. He's doing this for PLP, and he wants everybody to have a good time. He's a giver ... and if anybody wants to talk about mining, he's ready to talk."

To register online, go to, www.aptsgold.com/Drywashing-Gold.html. For more information, call Jim Jeffrey at American Prospector Treasure Seeker (951) 676-2555.

• WHO: Open to all outdoor enthusiasts. Organized by Sleepy Bear Mine and American Prospector Treasure Seeker.
• WHAT: Public Lands for the People Octoberfest Fundraiser
• WHERE: Sleepy Bear Mining
  21 Goler Road
  Randsburg, CA 93554
• WHEN: Oct.18-19
• WHY: To keep public lands open to the public and mix and mingle with other outdoors enthusiasts.
• HOW: $30 per person age 18 and older. Children 17 and under free or $6 donation for barbecue.
• TO REGISTER: For more information and to RSVP online, go to www.aptsgold.com/Drywashing-Gold.html.

Sarah Reijonen is a freelance writer based in California. She can be reached at sarahreijonen@yahoo.com.