President’s Message – November 2020

From the Top of the Rock Pile …. by Kat Koch
There will be no club meeting in November. I just read Gov. Inslee’s most recent memorandum and I really don’t think we are going to be able to hold any meetings for sometime yet.
I know we are all anxious to see one another and engage in some good rock talk. Hopefully, that time isn’t too far off. In the meantime, as long as the weather holds up, please take advantage of our club field trips. Roger works so very hard to keep this monthly event going. Check the website to see what great adventure he has planned for us this month. Be sure to join the emailing list under the website “Field Trip” tab and you will receive timely updates in the upcoming field trips.
Bob Sahalee was a very well known Washington rock collector and carver. Mr. Sahalee passed away a few years ago and Doug True from the Billings, Montana bought Sahalee’s collection. After taking what he wanted Doug contacted and offered the NFMS clubs the opportunity to come to Sahalee’s old ranch, just south of Port Townsend, and collect stuff for their clubs and take some for themselves.
Our club was the only club that showed up. I would like to thank the individuals that did help to collect: Mike Blanton, Charley Benedict, Ron & Christine Jacobson and Scott & Madeline Harris. Everyone worked so hard loading the trucks. Thanks to each of you.
We also had a private collection donated to our club from Mike & Barb Weibel of Renton. The rock and fossil collection had belonged to Mike’s grandparents. Thank you!
With these 2 additions to our stores we now have a great supply for the silent auction at our 2021 Gem & Mineral Show, meeting door prizes and club auctions.
We are continuing to a get new members every month. Welcome to all our new members and I hope we all get to meet real soon.
I hope everyone is staying healthy. Be sure to take good care of yourselves and wear a face mask when going out. I know we are all looking forward to seeing another again. As far as I know, we have not lost any of our members to the virus or any other health reason.
Kat Koch, President
Updated: January 9, 2022 — 3:34 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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