October 2022 Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of Shenandoah Valley Gem and Mineral Society
Meeting date: October 10, 2022
Intro:
We had 18 members & 1 visitor present at our meeting. Thanks to all who brought ORANGE minerals, etc for our display. {orpiment, calcite, crocoite, amber, copper, ammonite, etc}
New Business
LONG minutes, but important info!!!
Topic 1: Scott Gregory gave a summary of the show results & thanked those who helped make it a success. We estimated over 2000 visitors including club members and those who entered with no charge. The profit was $6030.
The club discussed ways to donate the profits. The club voted to put a cap of $5000 for the amount to be spent.
Jack said that upgrades and maintenance to the shop equipment will run from $1500 to $2200.
Scott suggested we do 5 sponsorships on mindat - they are $120 each for a club to sponsor. The suggestions were to sponsor pages related to VA - Morefield Mine minerals, Rutherford Mine minerals, rockbridgeite, cleavelandite, turquoise, and/or unakite. (We may be updating photos and information for some of these.)
Liz Johnson from JMU suggested we donate money to the geology department to be used for students who attend conferences, especially those dealing with minerals. We would stipulate that the recipient would attend one of our meetings and report on what they learned. Scott will also check on donating some high-quality loupes to the geology students at JMU. The show committee will report back on the monies spent and where.
Topic 2: Next year's show will be Sept 22-24, 2023 due to a misunderstanding on the part of EXPO. It will be held the 4th weekend rather than our usual third.
Scott has notified the vendors, as the Richmond show will be that same weekend. One of the vendors from Richmond said he will actually come to our show!!! Kudos to us!
Scott is sending out the contracts to get ready for Show #55!!
We will be charged to rent tables from now on, so the vendor fee for rental will go up by $5.
Scott has made a deposit with EXPO to reserve our space for the 2024 and 2025 shows for the 3rd weekend in September.
Next year we will use the same 2 rooms we had this year. Volunteers, start marking your calendars!!
Topic 3: Personal note: Charlie went to visit Leo Cloutier (our only remaining charter member who is 96 and going strong!) Leo was in a car accident and has had to move to Regency in Fishersville. He is doing well, and may be teaching classes on minerals to the other residents!
Topic 4: FYI Reminders - The Morefield Mine is closing forever! 😥 However, there will be a sale of rocks and memorabilia from the mine on Saturday, Nov. 19th 10 am to 5 pm at the mine location.
NO mining, sluicing, digging. Sales only by cash or check.
Take your own bags/boxes/buckets for your purchases.
This may be the last chance to visit the mine area. (13400 Butlers Rd. Amelia Court House, VA.) Please DO NOT contact them, just show up.
FYI #2 - Rich Ruozzi notified me that the Valley Rock & Gem show will be at the Rockingham Co FairGrounds - Fri Oct 21 2-6 pm, Sat Oct 22 10 am to 6 pm & Sun Oct 23 10 am-5 pm.
Discount tickets at Horizon Gifts 60 W Market St Harrisonburg or South Horizon 9 N New St Staunton
Thanks to Jack & Jilly for the abundance of snacks for the meeting. Please contact me if you would like to bring snacks, drinks, & paper goods to the November meeting. Thanks in advance. (We usually have around 20 in attendance.)
We are still collecting dues for 2023. You can bring the $10 to the meeting, or mail a $10 check payable to SVGMS to: SVGMS, PO Box 324, Waynesboro, VA 22980. You must be a paid member to utilize the shop, and go on field trips when we are able to have them again. Please notify the club secretary if you NO LONGER wish to receive these emails.
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Program Report:
For our main program - Thomas Hale of the Friends of Mineralogy of VA presented information about this group and the new book that was just published.
{The Virginia Mineral Project is no longer a separate entity. The FMVA chapter now is the official VA group with outreach, education, publications and information.} The book is titled NOVA Trap Rock Quarries. The book is 6" x 9", 144 pgs, and costs $35. If you'd like to order a copy (+postage) you may email FMVAPublications@gmail.com. Mike Pabst has also ordered a quantity for the club, and will have them available in the next couple of weeks. I'll let you know when.
Program report continued here.
Next meeting:
Our next meeting is November 14th, 2022 at Bridgewater Baptist Church in Dayton VA. Marcia Morris will be presenting a video program about her trip to Iceland.
Bring your NEWEST SPECIMEN from your collection.
Looking ahead to December, we will finally be able to hold our annual club dinner at the Baptist church. It will be a carry-in covered dish meal, and we will be able to do our Secret Gift Exchange. (More about that in a later email.)
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: We are not planning any field trips any time soon, but if anyone knows of places to collect in small groups, let the club secretary know and they can send out the info.
Looking ahead:
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