October 2021 Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of Shenandoah Valley Gem and Mineral Society
Meeting date: October 11, 2021
Intro:
This was a virtual meeting held via Zoom conference. We had 14 members join us for our ZOOM meeting on Oct 11th.
Old Business:
Jack Glenn gave a summary of the BEST SHOW EVER!
We had over 1700 attendees - a show record! (not counting those that came more than one day).
The vendors all agreed that we have one of the best shows they attend and we are the only one that gives them a meal. Most are coming back next year!
We had over 55,250 hits on social media, distributed about 10,000 notepad sheets, 700 flyers and numerous road signs. This was our most profitable show as well.
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New Business:
Plans for next show: Tentative dates are Sep 16-18, 2022.
We plan on renting the large hall at EXPO which will allow a few more vendors, more tables for each vendor, member display cases, indoor kiddie activities and gem sluice, and perhaps a food vendor. All for the better!
This will of course mean more involvement from our members, to include show promotion, set up and take down. This is the only opportunity we have to work together and support one another during the year. Save the dates!
If you have magnetic signs or road signs, bring them to one of our meetings next year or keep them until the next show.
Program Report:
Mike and his family got to travel on the NE Regional train leaving from Culpeper and going to Penn Station in New York city.
They visited the Empire State Building and rode on the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty. They enjoyed much of the northern cuisine and stayed several days.
The highlight of course, was their visit to the newly renovated American Museum of Natural History. There were not many visitors and there were timed entry slots.
Mike and his family were very impressed with the macro and micro mineral displays. Karen thoroughly enjoyed seeing the jewelry made from exquisite gems.
Mike took lots of photos and shared many of them with us. He sent me a few to share with you. He really enjoyed the exotics section.
The museum is across from Central Park and they got to enjoy the lake and some beautiful sunny weather. He suggested we go there if the opportunity comes up. He has included a link for us to enjoy.
From Mike:
For a Professional Talk about the new Mineral Hall at the American Museum of Natural History, go to the Mineral Talks Live archives on YouTube.
Here is the link: Mineral Talks LIVE - Episode 51 - Dr. George Harlow - Curator Emeritus; American Museum, NY, USA
Next meeting:
We will be meeting at JMU at the Festival Center, room 4 on Tuesday Nov. 9th from 6 to 9 pm.
Dr. Lance Kearns will be visiting with us and will give us a personal tour of the new mineral museum. (Previous emails have invited you to the Official Open House on Oct 29th. You may still attend that, but if possible you may want to attend this private showing. The Open House will have several other clubs attending and there may be limited viewing.)
Marcia Morris, a club member, will give a presentation from her trip to Namibia. She will talk about minerals found there as well as some of the local flora and fauna. This is a meeting everyone will want to attend! (Please do not plan on returning signs at this meeting.)
FYI - If Waynesboro City Schools are closed 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:
After pandemic restrictions are lifted, 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. COVID-19 vaccinations are required, since this is a small enclosed space.
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 2016-2021
President – Michael Pabst
Vice President – Leo Cloutier
Show Co-Chairs – Dean Hostetter/Scott Gregory
Educational Outreach -- Deborah Grimm
Secretary/Newsletter -- Deborah Grimm
Field Trip Coordinators - Scott Steele
Co-Treasurers – Scott Gregory/Deborah Grimm
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