The newest one has been added to the newsletter page found at “About the Club”.
CHRISTMAS PARTY for club members
DATE: MONDAY – DECEMBER 15TH TIME: 7:00 – 9:00
LOCATION: Pioneer Pavilion, Ferndale
THIS IS A POTLUCK!
The main course is provided – ham & chicken. Bring side dishes! (fruit/vegetable/cheese plates, Salad, chips, rolls, etc.)
There is a Christmas Cookie table as well! You can also bring your favorite Christmas Cookie to share. If it is a “special recipe” bring 10+ copies of the recipe to share.
** Plates, cups, cutlery provided
Voluntary GIFT EXCHANGE: (not required)
If you would like to participate it is a bring a gift – take a gift. Gifts are usually in $10-$15 price range, preferably rock/gem related & fun and/or useful!
If you can RSVP that would be great to let us know how many will be attending so we can set up the correct amount of tables. Please try to RSVP to mtbakerrockclub@mtbakerrockclub.org by Dec 8th with how many will be coming.
Christmas hours at the retail store
The store (and the mall) are closed on Thanksgiving Day. Christmas hours are extended (2025) and include Mondays:
Nov 28: 9-9
Nov 29: 9-9
Dec 1: 11-4
Dec 2-4: 11-8
Dec 5-6: 10-8
Dec 7: 10-7
Dec 8-13: 10-8
Dec 14: 10-7
Dec 15-20: 10-9
Dec 21: 10-8
Dec 22-23: 10-9
Dec 24: 10-6
Dec 25: closed
Newsletters Now Available
Club newsletters can be found by using the pull-down menu under the top-level menu item “About the Club”.
Rockhound Rendezvous Information
Beach Field Trip- May 3, 2025
Kid Rock Crawl at Semiahmoo Park
(Ages 9 mo – 99 years)
Saturday May 3, 2025
9261 Semiamoo Parkway, Blaine, WA 98230
We will be meeting at the totem pole near the bathrooms next to the parking lot.
Come explore one of Whatcom County’s favorite beaches for collecting Rocks. This adventure will be geared toward school age children but all are welcome!
We live in a geologically interesting area and we will be discussing where and how the rocks that we find on the beach may have gotten there. We will also be identifying the types of rocks that are at this beach, and how to safely and responsibly rock hunt.
Bring your buckets, and boots and warm jackets it could be muddy!
Tawnya Crowe
Homeschool coach and educator
503-801-9564
tawnyacrowe@gmail.com
*This is a Adventure for Club members of The Mount Baker Rock and Gem Club if you are not a member the cost will be $20 (the cost of one years membership…then you can go to other cool rock walks!)
The info above comes from Ms. Crowe. Note that people can join the club at the retail store in the Bellis Fair Mall, mailing a check and the membership form found at our website or at a monthly meeting.
Scholarship Amount Increased
The club’s board of directors approved raising the amount of the annual scholarship for Geology students at Western Washington University to $1500.
Board Meeting Minutes, November, 2024
Attending: Harold, Bruce, Gordy, Wes, Bonnie, Candi, Ralph, Sharon, Michael L., Mike M., Trevor, Todd
Meeting called to order by President Candi Gerard at 6pm.
Secretaries Report: Nothing to report.
Treasurer’s Report: Good month for the club, our auction was successful, dues have been rolling in (37 new memberships and renewals so far since October.) Incoming – auction, dues, lap room, club sales, classes. We made a deposit from October. Well done everyone!
<Discussion> about purchasing a money market account, or CD vs. high-percentage savings account. The club has enough funds to make an investment.
Bonnie motioned, Wes seconded, and all unanimously voted to move forward at WECU. Motion passed.
Federation Report: nothing to report
Wagonmaster: N/A latest field trip to Swift Creek was a success.
Mineral Council: Field trip to Blanchard Mt. for Stilpnomelane Saturday, 11/16, More info HERE
Lapidary Room: Shelves cleaned up for auction, found blades for 12″ and 16″ saws. General cleaning has been performed.
Show 2025: Inquiry about raising cost of entry (currently $15/ft). In comparison to other clubs, we currently have the lowest cost of entry. <Discussion> The show was originally created to be self-sustaining, not meant to be a source of profit.
<Discussion> regarding vendors, table space, raffle prizes, budget for expenses, advertising, security, etc. Idea was brought up to have higher-end raffle prizes, each with its own ticket receptacle. This may increase ticket sales and encourage people to go for a prize they really want to win.
A local dairy recently went out of business; Mike can procure 4-gallon milk crates for $4/each. Candi made a motion, voted, and passed to purchase 50-60 crates.
ATM for the show – $50 fee for the weekend, $3.50/transaction fee for users. If things go well, the vendor may waive $50 delivery fee in the future. Board unanimously voted to book it for the show in March.
Vice President 2025: Harold is considering running. Do we have anyone to run against? Nominations can be made.
Todd: three things –
1. Scholarship info has been send to WWU admin, will remind in January/ New Years. Deadline to apply is 2/15/25. Discussed verbiage and ways to promote.
2. Website: links were getting hijacked and sending users to Japanese sales sites. 2 years of a SSL encryption service have been purchased, though WordPress is not immune to malware. Paid for a ticket to add a new SSL plugin for $8/month. May become a recurring expense.
3. Dues: we no longer send mail to people’s homes, is it necessary to collect people’s address?
@ Next meeting in November, we will be asking for a holiday chairperson to organize decorations and details for the December holiday meal / meeting. Fried chicken, ham will be procured by Mike, Ralph (thanks, guys!)
Brief discussion about stones on dop sticks. Consensus is to silently auction them at meetings.
Rockhound Rendezvous Sale, Sept. 14
The club’s Rockhound Rendezvous sale will be on Saturday, September 14, 2024 from 9-5 at the Pioneer Pavilion, 2007 Cherry St, Ferndale, WA. This sale is when club members offer their rock-related items (crystals, jewelry, tools, petrified wood, etc.) for sale to the public. Please bring cash as many members cannot take cards or checks. Some members can take cards.
Rockhound “pre-estate” sale in Marysville
See the flyer for details.
