President’s Message – January 2021

Past Presidents Message
From the top of the rock pile . . . . . . . . . .
2020 sure has been a weird year in many aspect in every area of our lives. As we approach 2021 I have high hopes for a much better year.
The coronavirus has upended our way of life – but it’s also having a dramatic impact on animals across the globe too. From Africa to Columbia to India poachers have been taking advantage of the quiet nature reserves and there has been a huge increase in the poaching wild cats.
In zoos across the world the social animals – including gorillas, otters and meerkats – are missing the attention of humans. Some zoo animals are making the most of their privacy. At Ocean Park, Hong Kong, it is thought that Ying Ying, one of the resident pandas, may be pregnant after 10 years of attempts at natural mating. Millions of baby turtles are hatching on India’s empty beaches. In Florida, the Loggerhead Marinelife Center reported an increase in leatherback turtles this year. The tigers at the New York Bronx Zoo have been diagnosed with the coronavirus and emboldened wild goats are seen on the streets of Wales.
Bison roaming South Hill, Spokane for the 2nd time this year.
It has definitely been a weird year for humans and animals a like! It seems like our entire planet has felt the impact of the coronavirus one way or another.
Although we are not able to hold our monthly meetings our club is still alive and still kicking. We are still here producing our monthly news bulletin, maintaining our website and leading field trips when the weather is good.
If you are working on a lapidary project (or tumbling) and need help, we are all still here to help each other. If you have a question or need help just reach out to someone on the Board or another member. If you need grit, the club has some for our CMS members at a good price. Contact Bob Pattie and he will arrange for you to get some.
Dues for 2021 is only to $15 per family or individual. Even though we are not presently holding meetings, our club still has to cover our annual dues to NFMS, AFMS, ALAA, WA State Mineral Council, website hosting and the cost of liability insurance for 2021. I am sure by spring we will be back to holding our meetings again. When this does happen we will once again have the cost of the monthly rental for the meeting room.
So please go to our website and renew your membership now! https://www.cascademineralogicalsociety.org/membership-signup/#join
Now cozy up and enjoy the best these slower-paced days have to offer. Nothing says winter like a cup of hot chocolate, a pile of blankets and a soft pillow, a classic or Hallmark season movie or maybe binge watch your favorite streaming series.
Wear a mask, stay home, be safe and healthy as we all want to see each other next year.
Kat Koch, President
Updated: January 9, 2022 — 3:35 pm

Presidents Message

  • From the Top of the Rock Pile 2024 is in our rearview mirror. It was a very successful year for our club. We moved our Cascade Gem Show to June at Kent Commons. It has been an excellent decision for our club. We had the largest attendance since resuming our shows in 2018, with approximately 3,200 visitors! The proceeds from our two club auctions in 2024 brought in around $1,800. These funds help to cover our club’s largest expense, the liability insurance policy. I expect the premium for 2025 will be near $3,000. Our booth at the Puyallup Gem Faire …

Meeting Announcements

  • February 13th – Jim Cerenzie – Finding New (Old) Rockhounding Sites Our club member, Jim Cerenzie, is going to speak on how he finds long forgotten sites to hunt for rocks and crystals. He has a YouTube channel called the “Vug Meister” where he and his son go rockhounding to these places. If you watch YouTube please support him by subscribing to his channel. Show ‘n Tell: Your favorite rockhounding find. It can be a find from a field trip, your yard, the beach, or a riverbed.

  • March 13th – Field Trip Preview by Roger Danneman Where will we go this year? Join our wagonmaster Roger Danneman as he gives us a preview of all of the places the Club will explore this year on field trips – and what kinds of materials you might find there. Show ‘n Tell: Something you’ve found on a prior field trip (with a club or on your own!).

  • April 10th – Rock BINGO Kent schools on spring break. So all you members, junior members and their friends, your grandkids, guests it is time for our Rock Bingo night.  Everyone is guaranteed to be a winner. Rock Bingo is free tonight – bring 3 wrapped presents (see below). Maximum 3 game cards per player. Each player is to bring 3 wrapped presents. Rocks, minerals, fossils, cabachons, slabs, jewelry, or anything that you think would be a nice gift.  Guests do not need to bring any wrapped items.

  • May 8th – Glaciers by Paul Ahnberg What are the benefits of glaciers? Glaciers, slow-moving rivers of ice, have sculpted mountains and carved valleys throughout Earth’s history. They continue to flow and shape the landscape in many places today. But glaciers affect much more than the landscape. Show ‘n Tell: A white or clear mineral or crystal.

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