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

  • From the Top of the Rock Pile Our annual club picnic went off great. The grass and Arboretum area was not wet or muddy, plus it didn’t rain while we were there. We had the usual club members attend, plus a few new faces. I forgot to count how many people attended, but I estimate around 40. Thank you, Angie and Brian, for shopping for the food and setting everything up. Thumbler’s Tumblers donated a tumbler for our picnic auction and another one for our holiday auction in December. The new double-barreled 15# tumbler sold for $120, approximately one-third the …

Meeting Announcements

  • 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.

  • This meeting will cover the “Geologic History of Washington State.” The meeting will be an interactive program designed to tell the story of the complex geologic history of our state. It works for kids as well as adults, with families working together to assemble the state.   Show ‘n Tell: Favorite rock or mineral from Washington.

  • Glen Ripper is a leading authority on Obsidian. He is a walking encyclopedia which should make this an interesting and educational meeting. Show ‘n Tell: Obsidian – let’s see your colors.

  •   We start the day off with a potluck holiday meal. The club provides roasted turkey and ham. Members fill in with their favorite holiday potluck dish. We follow our meal with the election of officers for the coming year. Our final activity is our club auction. It is a great time to pick up great bargains on rough rocks, polished rocks, slabs, fossils, opal, etc. Our Young Tumblers can use their Rock Bucks to purchase auction items. 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.

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