April 2022 Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of Shenandoah Valley Gem and Mineral Society
Meeting date: April 4, 2022
Intro:
We had 18 members at our meeting last night.
The shop will have limited access this Saturday, April 9. Jack & Charlie will be doing maintenance on some of the machines so they will not be available for use.
New Business:
➤ We are encouraging club members to pick up a display case from the shop this Saturday. These cases are always a hit with our visitors at the show, and you can be as creative as you'd like when making one. (see last month's notes for some ideas). If you replace the glass with plexiglass, the club will reimburse you. .
➤ Scott Gregory gave an update on the show. We now have 95 vendor tables confirmed with good possibility of a total of 135 (and a waiting list beyond this!)
• We discussed the possibility of allowing a non-profit group to have some table space during the event, but we decided that could possibly cause some unforeseen circumstances now and in the future so we will not be offering that as an option.
• We will have space for our club DISPLAY CASES. {please see here on how to do a display case} There are several in the shop so if you'd like one, you can go to the shop when it's open, or let me know and I can contact Charlie or Jack to make arrangements to pick one up. Some of them need to have the glass replaced with Plexiglas; the club will reimburse anyone who decides to do this. This activity is very popular with our visitors, especially the youth, who often get inspired to start collecting minerals.
• We would like to have someone do a demonstration on wire-wrapping at the show. This was very popular, but does involve being at the show for the entire event. A club member was doing this for us previously, but will be a vendor this year instead.
• Jack asked if anyone has any contacts with channel 3 or 29. We would like to have some exposure on the air to help spread the word. Please let me know.
• Larry K has been doing a wonderful job running the sluice for us with his daughter and granddaughter. Please consider helping him. He gives out lots of small minerals/fossils to the youth that participate. If anyone has samples to donate for this, it would be appreciated. (polished pieces/fossils about 1/2" are good). The good news is that it will be held inside this year!
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Program Report:
We'd like to thank Michelle Jascot for displaying her awesome talent as a wire wrapper. She demonstrated her techniques using copper wires.
She chose 20 gauge square and 1/2 round wires that she straightened with pliers.
Using 3-4 strands of each, she wrapped the wires using a 2" labradorite slab, around the sides, across the back and tightened them at the top.
She wrapped the wires so they formed knots and trimmed each of them to have a smooth finish.
Michelle made the process seem easy, but it does take a great deal of patience and practice to make beautiful wrapped stones that can be used in jewelry.
Michelle is self taught, and polishes a lot of the stones herself. You can check out her website at: https://wiredbutterfly74.wixsite.com/website/shop
Next meeting:
Our next meeting will be on Monday May 9th at 7 pm .
We are asking everyone to bring a mineral that's the color of their favorite flower 🌷🌼🌻🌺🌹(April showers bring May flowers......) or bring a mineral that looks like a flower!
Kelly Lane, one of our members will present a program on faceting.
FYI - If Waynesboro City Schools are closed due to inclement weather on a meeting day, our meeting will be canceled. The club secretary will try to send out an email ASAP that day, and an announcement will be posted on the club’s Facebook page and web site.
Thanks for your understanding; we want everyone to be safe!
Field Trips: NOTE: All previously announced field trips have been canceled due to the restrictions on travel and non-essential activities. Please do not go to the sites on your own that were sent out.
Doing so may prevent the club from visiting a particular area. Trips must be organized by the club.The club secretary will send information about scheduled/rescheduled trips once they are again feasible.
Looking ahead:
With pandemic concerns diminishing, the lapidary shop will be open the Saturday following a regular meeting. (See Events At A Glance for a calendar view). Leo, Charlie & Jack can assist you. Open from 9 am to noon. This is a small enclosed space; please follow whatever COVID protective guidelines you think appropriate.
There are several slab saws and trim saws. Keep in mind that safety is a priority, and wear closed toe shoes, safety glasses, with no loose hair or long sleeves. Children must be supervised and closely monitored to insure they are safely using the equipment. Check this page to see what you can learn to do!
If you’d like to present a program, please talk to an officer at a meeting.
Be sure to keep up with our website www.shenandoahvalleyrockclub.org and our Facebook page Shenandoah Valley Gem and Mineral Society for updates and information.
Deborah Grimm, Secretary
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Club Officers and Staff 2016-2022
President – Michael Pabst
Vice President – Leo Cloutier
Educational Outreach -- Deborah Grimm
Secretary/Newsletter -- Deborah Grimm
Field Trip Coordinators - TBD
Co-Treasurers – Scott Gregory/Deborah Grimm
Show Team Leaders – Scott Gregory/Jack Glenn
Web Site Coordinator – Jack Glenn
Club web site: shenandoahvalleyrockclub.org
Club Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ShenandoahValleyGemMineralSociety
Club email: svgem-min-club@live.com