President’s Message – November 2020

Past Presidents Message
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

  • Digging It!  September is here, and it looks like a wonderful month so far for getting together and getting out in the field. First, thank you to everyone who helped make our August picnic and club auction such a success. The delicious food, generous donations, volunteer help and spirited bidding made it a great afternoon, and the auction raised $750 for the club. We return to our regular meeting schedule on Thursday, September 10, at 7:00 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Kent. Our program is all about YOU: Show, Tell & Transform, where you get to briefly present …

Meeting Announcements

  • This program is all about YOU. Bring a rock, mineral, fossil, or other field find that you would like to turn into something. It might become a cabochon, carving, display specimen, jewelry piece, slab, polished piece, or something entirely different. Bring your item and share: Where and how you found or acquired it What interests you about the material What you’re considering making from it Any questions or challenges you would like help thinking through Then we’ll open the conversation to our knowledgeable and curious club members. Together, we can discuss the material, possible designs, cutting or finishing approaches, and other ideas that might help you take the piece from field find to finished project. You do not need to have a complete plan or any special expertise. That’s part of the fun. Bring the piece itself if possible, along with any sketches, inspiration photos, or examples that might help explain your idea.

  • Noelle Barnes will present Using Gaia for Rockhounding, an overview of the features and tricks associated with the app Gaia and how you can use it for GPS, saving waypoints, navigation, photo tagging, trail recording and more. Show and Tell: Bring the rock(s) that have the best “story” – and tell everyone how you found them and where!

  • Club board member Paul Ahnberg will talk to us about the impact of wildfires on our lives – from protecting your home to staying safe while out rockhounding – and what we can do today to help mitigate our risk. Paul will combine his knowledge gained from learning at both the WSU Green School (Master Gardener) and WSU Climate Steward programs. Show and Tell: Bring something you found, from a place that you know has since been impacted by floods or wildfires – or was impacted shortly before you arrived. Tell your story!

  • December’s date and time is coming soon. We will update this page as soon as we know more.

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