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 another.

We missed our three Young Tumblers, Mason, Bentley, and Jude. I hope we see you at our April meeting, where we have fluorescent rocks and minerals and anything else we can find that change color under black light. We scheduled this meeting as the kids are on a school break, and our young tumblers won’t have to worry about school the next day.

We encourage you to attend our meetings as our club is more than just the field trips. We always try to have an educational and entertaining topic. It’s also an excellent opportunity to visit with each other. Plus,

 get your questions answered if you have a problem cutting or polishing or need a rock or mineral identified. Everyone is welcome to bring guests of any age to our meetings.

So mark your calendars now – our meetings are always the 2nd Thursday of the month except for August and December. August is our annual picnic at Lake Wilderness, and in December, we have our Holiday Dinner and election of officers.

I also want to remind everyone that our show needs volunteers. If anyone is interested in helping, contact Chris Vitellaro. Her contact info is on page 2 of this issue of the Tumbler.

We continue to get new members weekly by registering online or in person at our monthly meetings. We welcome each of you to our great rock and gem club. When you attend our monthly meeting, please introduce yourself to me, as I look forward to meeting everyone.

I also appreciate all the members that renewed their membership!

I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the March meeting.

Kat Koch, President

Updated: March 4, 2023 — 9:27 am

Presidents Message

  • From the Top of the Rock Pile From the Top of the Rock Pile Our Gem Show is sold out. Everything is moving along with the show. We will be asking for volunteers at the June meeting plus via email. Please plan on helping out at our show. It takes around 50 people to cover all 3 days. I have not been out to see how the building of our indoor shop is coming along at Roger’s home, but I hear from members that it is really coming along. With some good weather, progress should really move along fast. If

Meeting Announcements

  • We will form teams to identify a tray of 8 rocks. Bring your hardness kit, rock ID books, cell phones, or anything else to help your team identify the stones. Last call for volunteers to help with our Gem Show. Show ‘n Tell: Bring an item from the collection you want to be identified.   This meeting is also our semi-annual food drive for the Kent Food Bank. Please remember to bring something. The Food Bank has informed us that they need feminine hygiene products and grape or strawberry jelly. People donate loads of peanut butter but never jelly. They also receive very few donations of feminine hygiene products.

  • We are going to show a video of the most unusual and amazing things found in Amber. It isn’t just insects. We are also going to have a recap of how our Gem Show did last month. Show ‘n Tell: An item that has something trapped inside or a picture rock, thunder egg, or geode that looks like it has an insect, animal, or face inside.

  • Potluck on the Park. Bring your favorite potluck dish, rolls, drinks, dessert, etc. Enjoy a peaceful day in the park, visiting with friends and getting in some “rock talk.”     Following our lunch, we will hold a club auction. It’s a great time to pick up some great bargains. Our Young Tumblers can also spend their “rock bucks” on something they want.  

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