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Baker Blues Field Trip Saturday 10/04

Saturday, October 4th

BEGINNER-FRIENDLY – all vehicle friendly, families welcome – adult must sign waiver

Swift Creek @ Baker Lake – Swift Creek Campground
Coming from Whatcom County: Meet at REI @ 9 am to carpool
Coming from the South: Meet at Cook Rd. Park & Ride, exit 232 @ 9:30 AM

Open to dues-paid members of the Mount Baker Rock & Gem Club only, a waiver must be signed to participate.

We will convoy east on State Rte 20E to Concrete, WA and venture up Baker Lake Road, then park in the gravel lot after the bridge just past the Swift Creek Campground.

For folks leaving from Bellingham, expect about 80 minutes of drive time to get to our destination. Those joining at Cook Rd. will drive ~ 60 minutes. Park restrooms will be closed for the season, so bring your own TP!

Terrain is a flat dirt road, with trail access through the campground, and then a small hill to get down to the creek. For those who don’t want to walk as far, there are agates to be found just under the bridge, but gators or waders are recommended for the best hunting! Expect to walk up to .5 miles to the search site.

Arrival ETA: 10:40 am
Departure: ~3 pm for about 3.5 hours of agate hunting

What to bring: Bucket or pail, snacks, water, waders, clothing layers – the water will be COLD!

This field trip will be happening rain or shine, so please plan accordingly.

Contact person: Trevor Duncan (check your email for contact info, and please do not share.)

 

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August 2025 General Meeting Minutes

8/18/25 MBRGC General Meeting Minutes

7 pm, Pioneer Pavilion, Ferndale, WA

Meeting called to order by President, Michael Langley. Reminder, our September meeting will include a gem ID presentation by Candi G. (we will still do a show ‘n’ tell). 

October: annual auction

Picnic @ the Gerard’s, Sunday, August 24th.

Jonathan Syltie, a member, has volunteered to do our newsletter. He has a lot of experience, and we can’t wait to see what he shares with us in Fall!

Raffle: guests, Derek, Ken & Lynn. Members: Carter, Gordy, Mary, Elizabeth (x2), Steve L., Shelly. Congrats to the winners.

Secretary Report: Nothing to report

Treasurer Report: slow month, 6 checks written. Income outweighed expenses, including books sales, silent auction revenue, 7 new memberships. Largest expense: Insurance premium. 

Federation: Upcoming show in Wala Wala, WA. Theme: Petrified Wood

Lapidary: All is well, could use a new 6″ blade – we are using the last used one now.

March 2026 show: critter making party – 50 were made, please donate rocks, tumbles, etc. for kids prizes. Thank you to all who have volunteered your time and efforts so far. There will be another critter session in September at the mall. 

We need a volunteer to run the kitchen during the March show; to keep coffee & snacks supplied, area tidy, etc.

Volunteers are needed to head up each show committee. Please inquire with an officer, or at the mall if you are interested.

2025 Field Trips:

September 6/7th – overnight @ Red Top, must be member of mineral council for $15 fee.

September 20th: Little Naches for Fossils, Lilly pad Jasper, Thunder Eggs

MORE INFO HERE <—- please bookmark the page.

Local Field Trips:

Saturday October 4, 2025 – Baker Lake, Swift Creek for Baker Blues – see separate email or Facebook for details

Saturday, October 18, 2025 – ADVANCED SKILL LEVEL – Swift Creek Trail for Baker Blues, Jasper

Must be an adult member, and sign a liability waiver to participate

<Break>

Show ‘n’ tell

Minutes submitted by club secretary, Trevor Duncan.

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August 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

8/11/25 – MBRGC Board Meeting, 6 pm, Ferndale, WA

Prior to meeting start, a discussion occurred about payment collection procedures for the mall shop.

Meeting opened by President, Michael Langley

Secretary Report: nothing to report

Treasurer Report: 7 new memberships, healthy income, expenses: State Farm Insurance. 2026 Show is already pre-paid! As well as monthly meeting space.

Joan Hartman estate, inventory.

Federation: Mike M. will stay in Kennewick Saturday night to save the club $

September Meeting: Candi presenting about Gem identification

October Meeting: annual auction

November: Wes presents about thumbnail/ mini specimens

December: Holiday potluck & gift exchange

Old Business: First Aid & walkie talkies for field trips. Should we adjust our stipend for field trips to increase interest? Discussed tools of the trade.

Jonathan Syltie, a club member has volunteered to do our club newsletter. Look for the first edition in Fall. Thanks, Jonathan!

Mineral Council Fieldtrips: Scheduled Field Trips.  Find out more HERE.

RRR has closed! We have 30 vendors filling 44 booths throughout the weekend of 9/27 & 9/28. $200 Facebook budget for advertising. Waitlist? 

ATM – yes! BBQ truck Saturday, and Pizza truck Sunday.

Our next Board Meeting would occur on Labor Day, 9/1 – shall we reschedule for 9/8? Voted, and agreed to meet second week of September.

minutes submitted by Trevor Duncan, club secretary

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July General Meeting Minutes

MBRGC General Meeting, July 21, 2025

Meeting called to order by club president Michael Langley at 7 pm.

August Show ‘n’ tell: Quartz crystals

September: Gem ID presentation by Candi G.

Raffle: congrats to our guest, Greg. Members: Heather, Chris H., Sandee, Gordy, Marjorie D., Bruce W., John L., Tom C., Melody

Secretary Report: nothing to report

Treasurer Report: 10 New memberships, welcome Stephanie! June was a busy month. Thank you for everyone supporting the club by participating in silent auctions at the meetings. Expenses: books, saw repair, utilities, meals, rent, etc.

RRR: Sold out! A waiting list has been started. 

Federation: Wala Wala, WA show in September. Mike will attend.

Lapidary: going well. Gordy and Candi on vacation soon.

2026 Show: Need help with tumbled stones, and prizes for kids. Free rock bags. Please bring donations to the mall, a meeting, or Candi and Gordy’s.

Mineral Council Field Trips:

8/16 – 8/17 Greenwater for agate, opal, jasper

9/06 – 9/07 Red Top for agate, jasper, geodes

9/20 Little Naches for thunder eggs

More info HERE

Newsletter – we las published a newsletter under Linda M. in 2018. Do we have a volunteer? It can be put out monthly, quarterly, etc. Let’s make this what you want to see.

Summer Picnic: Sunday, August 24th. 10 am set up and tail gaiting. The mall shop will be closed that day.

Location: 1371 Paradise Rd. Ferndale, WA 98248. 

Potluck style picnic – the club supplies water, plates, cutlery, chicken. 

Bring your own chair.

Food will be served in the afternoon, around 1-2pm. 

intermission, followed by the second half of John L’s presentation about self-collected minerals from around the USA.

Our August meeting will still be held on Monday, August 18th at 7 pm. Show n tell is “Quartz.”

minutes submitted by Trevor Duncan, club secretary

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July Board Meeting Minutes

7/7/25 MBRGC Board Meeting Minutes

attending: Dave S, Bruce, Gordy, Candi, Deb, Wes, Ralph, Michael, Trevor, Mike M, Harold

Meeting called to order by President Michael Langley at 5:55 pm

Secretary Report: Nothing to report

Treasurer: went over finances, 40k CD has been secured at WECU, 18 months @ 4% interest. So far, we have earned over $100 in dividends!

Q3 rent has been paid at the mall. Upcoming: insurance fees with Liberty Mutual, discussion about possibility of switching to State Farm for nearly $1k in annual savings.  Motion was made, seconded, voted, and passed to switch carriers. 

Michael brought up need for a signed waiver from all members at club outings (liability).

Thank you notes from Food Bank, Whatcom Humane Society, PAWS for the donations made from the jewelers sale. 

Federation: Mike M still planning to attend in Wala Wala, 2-day pass has been purchased.

Lapidary: 2 walk-ins last week, staying busy. Harold helped with saw maintenance – thanks, Harold! Bruce will start helping with Thursday nights at the mall – thanks, Bruce!

<discussion about vending fees, income vs. expenses from last show, etc. > Motion made, seconded, voted, and passed to raise 2026 fees to $20/ foot for table space. This is still less expensive than most other clubs, shouldn’t need to adjust again anytime soon. Went over social media, raffle, etc.

Old Setters Days – Still need volunteers for Saturday, July 26th. 4 x show cases, tables, etc. to be picked up at Gerard’s and set up at 3 pm Thursday, July 24th.

2-Day Rock Rendezvous (RRR) still open for members to sign up. Currently there are 2 spots remaining for 2-days. First come – first served for table placement. 2-day vendors will be against walls, 1-day participants will be in the middle of the floor.

July Meeting will feature the second half of John L’s presentation about minerals from the western states.

August  show n tell – Quartz crystals

September – Gem ID presentation by Candi

October – auction fundraiser

Field Trips: WWU? Justin C recently took 6 folks on a dig at Walker Valley, even made it up to the higher “Murphy hole.”

Upcoming mineral council field trips: 

07/26 – Lake Wenatchee for garnets
08/16 & 17 – Greenwater area for agate, jasper, and opal
09/06 & 07 – Red Top for agate, jasper, geodes
09/20 – Little Naches for thundereggs, leaf fossils, lilypad jasper

More info HERE <—- bookmark this link!

August Picnic at Gerard’s, Saturday, August 23rd (general meeting on the 18th), both will go on as Pavilion is paid for in August.

Old Business: newsletter?

New Business: First aid kit, and walkie-talkies for outings

Candi and Gordy out of town 8/1-8/16.

Meeting adjourned

 

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June General Meeting Minutes

Monday June 16, 2025

MBR&GC General Meeting

Pioneer Pavilion Community Center, Ferndale, WA

Meeting called to order by President Michael Langley @ 7:03 pm

Raffle winners, congrats to: Suzanne, Sandee, Ken, Matt, Steve, Todd & Tom

Secretary Report: nothing to report

Treasurer Report: 10 new memberships, lap room staying busy, September has only 8/40 spots left! 

Income: donations/sale, split with Ferndale food bank, and Paws. 

Federation: NFMS June newsletter available at Northwestfederation.org website. 

Old Settlers Days: July 25th & 26th – table to promote the club along with book sales. Happens here at the Pioneer Pavilion in Ferndale. The club needs 4x people both days to man our table and facilitate sales. 

March 2026 Show: time to get started on critters, we ran out at the last show! Critter making party at the mall, 1 pm Monday, July 14th.

We can always use volunteers to fold flyers, tumble rocks for the club, etc.

<break>

After our break, John Lindell presented an informative talk about field collecting and shared with us his impressive collection of minerals from western states. 

Meeting adjourned.

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June Board Meeting Minutes

June 2, 2025

MBRGC Board Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order by President Michael Langley @ 6:02 pm.

Secretary Report: Polka Dot mine disappointing, discouraging self-collection. Thank you to Tawnya C. for volunteering to take over secretary role.

Treasurer Report: busy month (May), large deposit made at WECU. Deposit paid to COF for 2026 show, as well as Mall rent. CD at WECU still pending (not for a lack of trying), proposal made to increase investment from 30k – 40k, motioned, voted, passed unanimously. 

Discussion about increase of scholarship funds to WWU, and possibly WCC. 

10 new memberships in May. RRR = 31/40 spots reserved. Discussed concerns over inoperable power outlets at Pioneer Pavilion. Who will bring this concern to COF?

Silent auction brought in $100+ at May meeting, feel free to bring items to donate to meetings, every little bit helps!

Federation Report: reservations at 2 hotels for show in Wala Wala. 2-day show pass purchased, reminder of signature requirements for entry.

Side discussion about registration with SOS – filing occurs at the end of June.

Lapidary Report: issues reported with 8″ trim saw, appear to be user error vs. equipment malfunction. Discussed purchasing a new trim saw – will check if there is a blade on hand first. 

2026 Show: Candi is already tumbling rocks for the kids at show next year, it’s never too soon to prepare! Display cases – need to weed out duds as we have more cases than we use.

June meeting: John L. to present about his western mineral collection trips. Show n tell: pearl, moonstone, alexandrite, or any other rock of interest.

Discuss RE: incoming calls to the mall, please keep the ringer on so we do not miss calls. 

Thank you to everyone who supported our sale of donated items, only one box of tools left, as well as faceted gemstones. Talked about how to disburse funds, $3000 to Ferndale food bank, $3000 to PAWS for cause and/or Humane Society. Okay to bring small tray of gems to store, but will need to lock up in safe at night.

October meeting (auction), call for items of interest at beginning to save time. Please only donate usable items, rocks and rock-related.

Mineral Council Field Trips. More info HERE

We’d still love to have a club member head up a trip to Walker Valley, or other areas of interest. The club will pay $50-75 stipend depending on distance.

Meeting adjourned.

minutes submitted by Secretary Trevor Duncan. 

 

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May General Meeting Minutes

MBRGC General Meeting, 5/19/25

Meeting called to order by President Michael Langley at 7:10 am

Raffle, congrats to guest Gayle!

Members: Sophia, Judy, Walt, Suzanne, Bruce W, Chris H, Ilex, Ray, Trevor

June meeting = John L. Presenting about minerals collected on western digs. Any member can present their topic at a future meeting, contact Michael if interested.

Secretary Report: Polka Dot Agate mine in OR closing down indefinitely in July. Two more moonlight dig dates, go check it out while you still can! (They don’t have a website, but can be found on Facebook for updates and dig times.) Trevor is also interested in stepping down, so if anyone is willing to take over the role of Secretary, it would be greatly appreciated. (Thank you, Tawnya, for volunteering. I look forward to transitioning the role to you soon.)

Treasurer Report: April was a good month, we made a substantial deposit at WECU. New members are still signing up regularly. Silent auction funds go straight to the club. 

RRR: September 27/28 two-day event. Members only may register as a vendor for $30 – 100 depending on one or two spaces, for one or two days. This event is open to the public, so a great opportunity to get your stuff out there. ~25/ 40 spaces are reserved, so be sure to swing by the mall or sign up at the next meeting to secure your spot. Mike Marsh and Ralph Sisco are coordinators, see either of them for questions. Please remember, sales are limited to rocks and rock-related items only (tools, equipment, etc.)

Federation: Wala Wala WA show first weekend of September; tentatively Mike will attend. Minutes are available by request.
Info booth for Pioneer Days in July, need four (4) volunteers to man our booth, set up displays, sell books & memberships, etc. Dates are July 25th & 26th. This is a great way to spread the word about our club, please consider volunteering.

Mineral Council Field Trips: 05/31 – Walt Bailey Trail for rainbow chert
06/21 – Saddle Mt for pertrified wood
07/26 – Lake Wenatchee for garnets
08/16 & 17 – Greenwater area for agate, jasper, and opal

More info HERE:

 Washington State Mineral Council 2025 Field Trips List updated 04/03/25. Next Trips: 05/10 – Racehorse Creek for fossils and morel mushrooms 05/24 – Wild Turkey mine for Noble serpentine mineralcouncil.wordpress.com

Lapidary: all is well, 12″ saw needs new window gasket.

Local Field Trips: Thank you, Tawnya C for leading the family-friendly outing at Semiahmoo on the 3rd! If another member is willing to host a field trip, the club will pay $50 stipend for Whatcom & Skagit County, or $75 for Snohomish and beyond. Areas of interest include Walker Valley, Ellensburg, Nooksack, etc.

<break>

Candi G gave a pictorial and anecdotal presentation about the riverbeds, roads, fields, streams and creek beds of the Yellowstone River in Montana. Interestingly, this is a river that flows north and is 670 miles long. It is considered a free-flowing river as it has no dams. 

Thank you to everyone that made it to the meeting, we hope to see you at the next one, Monday, June  16th at 7 pm in Ferndale. The show n tell theme will be Pearl, Alexandrite, Moonstone (or any other stone you’d like to share.)

Minutes submitted by secretary Trevor Duncan

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Gemstone Sale 5/31/25

Mount Baker Rock and Gem Club Second-chance SALE:

A large donation was received from a former FL jeweler moving overseas. 

BIG SALE at the Gerard’s on Saturday, May 31th. 10 am – 5 pm. Bring cash!

Location: 1371 Paradise Rd., Ferndale, WA 98248.

Items still remaining include:

  • Faceted gemstones
  • Cabochons
    Jewelers Tools
  • Ring Sizer
  • Kiln
  • Polishing Wheel
  • Vacuum Caster
  • and MORE!

~Trevor

club secretary

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May Board Meeting Minutes

MBRGC Board Meeting, Monday, May 5, 2025

Secretary Report: Baker Lake agate hunting season has closed, the water is as high as the highest plateau now.

Treasurer: Deposit made at WECU in April, 12 new memberships. Discussion about CD purchase from WECU. Insurance Premium payment is coming up. Elizabeth has been training on mall payroll to serve as a backup. Thank you, Elizabeth!

Speculative conversation about Bellis Fair, economy, other stores closing.

Federation: Expenses to attend show in Walla Walla ~$750 for the weekend, including two nights in a hotel, etc. 

Lapidary: Bad motor/ arbor has been replaced on our donated machine, which seemed to have rust and water damage inside the original motor.

Show Report: vendors at Everett show still praising our success and record turn out. Other shows over saturated with vendors. Some Everett vendors reporting 40% decrease in sales. Final count for attendance was sadly not captured, though we sold through 2000 raffle tickets! Takeaways for next year: need more critters/ kids prizes. Need to include verbiage about table capacity in contract for next year.

Upcoming meetings:

May = Candi Yellowstone presentation

June = John L. western rockhounding presentation

July = ??? (feel free to let Michael know if you want to present on a topic)

Old Business: Todd > Scholarships > most apps past deadline > spoke to geology department at WWU > scholarship portal w/ deadline in April. Is it worth collecting 5-10 apps annually, or letting the school/ department handle the funds? In this case, school would determine who and when they get the funds.

New Business: Big sale on Saturday, May 10th @ Candi & Gordy’s. Thank you to Dave, Karen, Judy, and Walt for your help with pricing and arranging the extensive collection. This initial sale will be 25% off for members (and is open to members only.) Gordy also offering 25% off his inventory. 

There will be a second-chance sale also at the Gerard’s on Saturday, May 31st. 10 am. Location: 1371 Paradise Rd., Ferndale, WA 98248

<discussion> RE: Picnic in August, location, logistics. Candi and Gordy leave down for Yellowstone trip on 8/1. Tracy wants to power wash our stones. Also discussed cups, mugs, shirts, coasters, etc. promotional products available from a nearby vendor at the mall.

RRR: Folks can now secure their table by swinging by the mall shop, or sign ups will be available at our next meeting on Monday, May 19th. The cost is $30/table for one day, or $50/ table for two-days. Or $60 for two tables for one day, or $100 for two tables for both days. Payment is required via cash or check at time of reserving. There are ~28/40 tables left to reserve.

Further discussion about possible Burke Museum trip, including fees, transportation, etc.

May show ‘n’ tell theme: Anything goes; please bring your favorite rock or mineral to share with the group.

Meeting adjourned.

minutes submitted by secretary, Trevor Duncan.