In this edition of the Member News:
Annual Picnic and Rock Swap
Mike Harrison and the SFMS
Annual Picnic and Rock Swap
This year’s Picnic and Rock Swap will be Saturday, June 14th at the Large Pavilion in Monte Sano State Park (5105 SE Nolen Ave, Huntsville, AL). (Note: This is a change of location from last year. We are NOT meeting at the Scoble Memorial Pavilion, aka the “Biker’s Trailhead Pavilion”, this year.) The Large Pavilion is a stone shelter just inside the park gate, near the bluff, West of Monte Sano Lodge. The GPS coordinates are 34.742778,-86.517222. There are tables and benches in the pavilion, and you’re welcome to bring your own chair(s). There are adjoining restrooms and a partially shaded kids’ playground nearby.
We’ll start gathering at 9:30am, and lunch will be at 11:30am. The meal will be potluck. Members may bring any type of food they like – casseroles, salads, desserts, or other goodies. Please be sure your food is picnic friendly. If your dish needs to be kept cool, please use an ice chest. HGMS will provide the meat and paperware. Also remember to bring your own non-alcoholic drinks. Guests are welcome to join us. Caution: There’s poison ivy at the park, and you’ll likely want to have bug repellent and sunscreen! Wear sturdy shoes as the ground around the pavilion can be uneven.
FREE PARK ADMISSION: Tell the gate attendant you’re with Huntsville Gem & Mineral Society or HGMS, and you won’t be charged park admission fees. (But you’re welcome to make a donation at the gate.)
SWAP/SELL: Members are invited to bring their rocks, etc., for swap or sale. Bring your own table(s) and chair(s) for your swap/sales station. Remember to bring cash or check to make purchases. This is a good opportunity to swap or sell your wares and to purchase new items. HGMS will not charge a fee to sell your items. Any proceeds you receive will be yours to keep.
DIRECTIONS: Enter the park on SE Nolen Ave off Monte Sano Blvd SE. Continue on Nolen to the park gate and check in. Drive a short distance to the Picnic Area sign and turn right. (If you reach the turn off for the lodge, you’ve gone too far.) The parking lot loops around so you can park on either side. The pavilion is a short walk from the parking lot.
We usually wrap up about 2pm, but park hours are 8am – sunset, so you’re welcome to arrive early and/or stay after to enjoy the park. There’s a scenic overlook a short walk from the pavilion.
Mike Harrison and the SFMS
Hello from the Southeast Federation of Mineral Societies 2nd Vice President. Yes, your very own Past-President has become a serving member of the SFMS board of directors!
First, let me remind you that SFMS week is coming up at William Holland the 8th thru the 13th of June with the Summer quarterly meeting at William Holland the morning of the 14th! What a great way to get to see what SFMS is doing to serve you, the individual club members.
As 2nd VP, my responsibility is to care about not only membership in SFMS but also membership in SFMS affiliated clubs! I’m happy to report that all but two clubs are paid in full for a total membership of 7695 total members. Georgia Mineral Society has the most members with a total of over 1,000 members. That includes 200 youth!
On Thursday afternoon I attended the American Federation of Mineral Societies annual meeting, the national umbrella for the Southeast Federation and the other regional societies. The Eastern Federation of Mineral Societies hosted us in Hickory NC. We had fun and I helped with the Future Rockhound presentation on Saturday Morning. We had a packed house as we showed how teaching Earth Processes can end up with a delicious ice cream sundae to eat when you finish. We also set up sand observing stations and demonstrated how easy it is to collect and study sand from around the world! Everyone had a sand sample to take home from all over the United States!
I just wanted you to know there are folks from all over the United States who are also rock, mineral, gemstone, jewelry and fossil enthusiasts.
Mike Harrison, SFMS 2nd VP
Did You Know?
June: Pearl – Produced in the bodies of marine and freshwater mollusks either naturally or cultured by people with great care. Lustrous, smooth, subtly colored pearls are jewelry staples, especially as strands. Alexandrite – The color-change variety of the mineral chrysoberyl. Bluish green in daylight, purplish red under incandescent light; hard and durable. Top quality examples are rare and valuable. Source: 
