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The Huntsville Gem and Mineral Society (HGMS) is a non-profit educational organization for people interested in mineralogy, geology, paleontology, lapidary arts and related fields.  Our primary purpose is to educate our members and the general public in these areas.  We accomplish this by presenting programs, shows and lectures (to school children and organizations); hosting field trips; and exchanging rocks, minerals and fossils.  We have regular monthly meetings, and special annual events, such as the Fundraising Auction, the Picnic and Rock Swap, the Gem, Jewelry, and Mineral Show (the largest in North Alabama), and the Christmas Dinner.  Plus, HGMS members have access to a state-of-the-art lapidary shop and to jewelry crafting activities, such as wire working and metalsmithing.  Guests and visitors always welcome!

President’s Message

Happy Turkey day to you in advance!
I hope this finds you well.  As president of the HGMS, the board and I have a lot to do to close out this year.  We have to come up with a slate of awesome officers for next year, close out the finances for this year and agree on a budget for next year!  But we are up to the task!
And we will report to you soon all of the details!  I especially urge you to attend this month’s meeting on November 23rd to vote on that slate of officers!  And if I don’t see you before Thanksgiving Day, I wish you a safe day with family and friends!
Your president, Mike Harrison

Tinsel Trail 2021 Now Open!

HGMS has again reserved a tree for this year’s Tinsel Trail! The Tinsel Trail is a display of live Christmas Trees at Big Springs Park in downtown Huntsville. The trail is a free community event open 24/7 to the public beginning Friday, November 26, 2021, and closing January 2, 2022.

This is the Tinsel Tree we decorated last year.  Most of the ornaments were made by HGMS members.  Our tree was a big hit with visitors, even while we were working on decorating it and while we were packing it up.  Last year, our tree was located at a strategically excellent spot so that it was hard to miss and thus seen and complimented on by many visitors to the display.

Attention Members! Your 2022 Dues Are Coming Due!

Your HGMS dues are still only $15 for an individual and $20 for a family.  (If you’re a new member who signed up at the Fall show, your dues won’t come due again until January, 2022.)

What do your dues give back to you?  Dues and income from the Annual Auction cover about half of the HGMS annual budget. (This year, we had a “Rock Auction” aka Yard Sale in lieu of the Annual Auction. But our regular auction is coming back in 2022!) This income is used to help provide support for our many activities – access to our new Education Center, Lapidary, Jewelry, Metals, Pebble Pups, GeoSciences, Field Trips (DMC will be back next year), AFMS/SFMS/DMC Federation membership and insurance, newsletter, monthly programs, web page, Annual Auction, Fall Gem, Jewelry, and Mineral Show, Annual Picnic, Annual Christmas Dinner, and Outreach.  Quite a bargain, don’t you think?!!!