From the Top of the Rock Pile . . . . . Planning for our Gem Show is well underway. I took on the position since no one volunteered to be the Show Coordinator. I am determined to keep our show from falling to the wayside because no one is interested in volunteering for the […]
Category: Presidents Message

President’s Message – January 2024
From the Top of the Rock Pile . . . . . . I thank our membership for electing me as Club President for another two years. I am so looking forward to what 2024 holds for our club. We have a great group of members who have volunteered for the Board and various 2024 […]
President’s Message – November 2023
From the Top of the Rock Pile …. by Kat Koch Our club election is coming up in December. As I write this article, our membership stands at 145 families. We will most likely reach 150 family memberships by the end of the year. I point this out because we need some of our members […]
President’s Message – October 2023
From the Top of the Rock Pile . . . . Our Cascade Gem Show was a huge success! A huge thank you, Chris, for putting together a fantastic show. All your hard work is much appreciated. This year, we tried a couple of new things to bring in additional revenue, such as the club […]
President’s Message – April 2023
There is no message this month. The Kat is in Florida looking for alligators, manatees, and rocket launches.
President’s Message – March 2023
From the Top of the Rock Pile …. by Kat Koch Our February was another good meeting. Almost 40 members attended, most of which displayed what they make or collect. It was interesting to see everyone’s interests. Plus, I always enjoy these types of meetings as we have the opportunity to talk and visit one […]
President’s Message – February 2023 (Click Here For More Info)
From the Top of the Rock Pile …. by Kat Koch We have a Show Coordinator! Chris Vitellaro. If she should ask you to volunteer for some aspect of the show, please show your support by saying “Yes!” It takes a lot of hands to put our show together. Chris is going to need a […]
President’s Message – January 2023 (Click Here For More Information)
From the Top of the Rock Pile ….by Kat Koch We are starting to plan our 2023 Cascade Gem and Mineral Show. We still need a Show Chairperson. The show dates are September 16 & 17, 2023. The venue has been booked, we have a 1st Co-Chairperson, and many major show areas already have volunteers committed to […]
President Message – November 2022 (Click Here For More Info)
From the Top of the Rock Pile …. by Kat Koch At our October meeting, Angie 100% surprised me with a birthday cake. Thank you, Angie, and everyone that sang Happy Birthday to me. Our members are really awesome! Our club elections are coming up at our holiday dinner in December. You will find a […]
President’s Message – November
We had another successful Rock & Gem Show under the leadership of Mark Hohn! As all of you have probably heard by now, Mark has resigned as Show Chairman so that he can spend more time traveling during the summer with his wife, Penny. I thank Mark for all his hard work these past two […]
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!
Current News
- August 2026 issue of The Tumbler August 7, 2026
Click here to download a PDF of The Tumbler.
- August 15: Potluck Picnic July 10, 2026
Our August meeting will not be happening at the American Legion – instead, this month’s meeting is our annual club potluck and picnic on Saturday, […]
- September 10 – Show, Tell & Transform July 9, 2026
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 […]
- October 8 – Using Gaia for Rockhounding July 8, 2026
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 […]
- July 2026 issue of The Tumbler July 6, 2026
Click here to download a PDF.
Club president Noelle Barnes will present “Rockhounding on the Road – How to Find Rocks Wherever You Are” – tools you can use to find a […]
Club board member Paul Ahnberg will talk to us about the impact of wildfires on our lives – from protecting your home to staying safe […]
- December – Holiday Potluck Party & Auction July 2, 2026
December’s date and time is coming soon. We will update this page as soon as we know more.
- June 2026 issue of The Tumbler June 9, 2026
Click here to download a PDF.
- May 2026 issue of The Tumbler May 11, 2026
Click here to download a PDF.