October 2026
In this issue: President’s Message, Membership Dues, Art School Scholarship Drawing, Letter from Shelley–2026 Show, Pups-SFMS “Year in Rocks” Contest 2027, Bring Back Your Show Yard Signs
President’s Message
Dear friends,
What a source of joy you are to me! To all who helped to make our show another fabulous event, thank you! ALL of the vendors talk about how friendly and helpful each of our members are, which makes this their favorite show. We are bombarded with critiques. If you have suggestions for the next show, please put them in an email to Shelley. Her email is
curranshelley1@gmail.com. Any problem needs to be accompanied by a positive solution!
We had a bit of a surprise at the last meeting. Anthony has done a great job of working with the city to correct those issues. The time slot may be shorter, which will necessitate changing the format. We will let you know.
Again, let me thank each of you for the joy you bring! Happy rock hounding! -Jan
Membership Dues!!!
Hi All. A special thank you to all who paid their dues at the show. You have made my job easier! For those that haven’t paid their dues for 2027, your dues are due now! Remember your membership is from October 1-September 30 the following year. I will be at the meeting on Oct. 27 to collect dues. Please help me out by paying your dues before I have to send you an email reminder!
Important: Also remember if you do not renew your membership by December 15th you will be dropped from our database and if you choose to renew after that a $5 late fee will be applied. Thanks you for your help. -Theresa
ART SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP DRAWING
Scholarships for William Holland or Wildacres Arts Schools are available to members in good standing. Two for members of any age and one for active instructors. You can find their Class Schedules at weblinks https://lapidaryschool.org/ and https://wildacres.org/
Important: To be considered for a scholarship, you MUST send Shelley Curran an email curranshelley1@gmail.com by the November 21st deadline. Those who won last year may not enter this year. Winners and alternates will be drawn at the November meeting.
Scholarship Winners must apply for the course(s) you wish to take and receive an acceptance letter back from the School of your
choice. Present the letter to our Treasurer Theresa Chivers and she will provide you with the check. If you later find you cannot
attend the School, please notify Shelley Curran as soon as possible.
Letter from Shelley – 2026 Show
Thank you!!!
Your participation helped make the show a success, from setting up, working with the vendors, ticket taking, demonstrating, walking around, information booth, kids area, and yes, even the drinks cart, you all put in time and dedication and helped make the 2026 HGMS Gem and Jewelry show a success. Our confirmed show dates for 2027 are 8-10 October 2027, with Thursday the 7th for setup. See you there!!! -Shelley
SFMS “Year in Rocks” Contest 2027
The Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies (SFMS) has announced they will be continuing their “Year in Rocks” contest again for 2027. Start thinking about how you can use your rocks, minerals, gems, fossils, or even lapidary equipment to showcase the year 2027 in a way that totally rocks! The deadline for submissions is November 21st, 2026, and you can visit www.southeastfed.org/contests-awards/juniors-year-in-rocks-contest for rules and guidelines for entries. All entries must be submitted through Suzanne Miller at HGMSPebblePups@gmail.com.
Bring Back Your Show Yard Signs
The sooner you return them, the more likely that you will return them at all. We will adjust the Show Dates for next year.
September 2026
In this issue: President’s Message, HGMS Officer Candidates, Membership Dues, HGMS Scholarship Opportunities, The Show, Show Display Cases, SFMS is Looking for Volunteers
President’s Message
Greetings fellow stone enthusiasts! With less than a month until the show. It’s hard to believe how quickly time is flying! It will soon be time to enter the drawings for class scholarships. More on that later.
It is once again time to elect officers and board members. At last month’s meeting I misspoke about a couple of election matters. After reviewing the bylaws I saw my mistake. The treasurer is an elected position, along with the newsletter editor and membership chair. Therefore, the ballot is below for review.
I look forward to all of the wonderful things we can accomplish together next year! -Jan
Volunteer for the Show!!! There are signup sheets at the meeting or use the online signup: LINK
The access code is “rocks“. THIS is YOUR CLUB
HGMS Club Office Candidates
President: Jan Edmunds
Vice president: James Yack
Secretary: Ashlee Poole
Treasurer: Theresa Chivers
Newsletter editor: James Mallonnee
Members at large: (vote for three)
Shelley Curran
Bill Friday
Bob Goble
Carla Johnson
Leslie Malakowsky
Mike Sapp
Anthony Zwilling
Membership Dues!!!
Hello all! It’s that time again to renew your memberships! Your memberships run from October 1 till September 30. If you signed up before June 2026 you will need to renew your membership at the show, by mail or at the meetings.
Membership dues are $20/individual, $25/ family (family is considered 2 adults living in the same household and any children under 18). If you are paying by credit card the dues increase by $1 each. There will be a $5 late fee for any renewing memberships starting in January. Thank you for renewing on time! -Theresa
HGMS Scholarship Opportunities
Every year the Club offers scholarships for continuing education. There are three scholarships this year, each for 300.00 dollars. Two are available to the general membership and one solely for Instructors.
To be eligible you must be a member in good standing, apply before the deadline and not have won in the previous year.
To enter you must send an email stating your wish to enter the drawing to Shelley Curran, curranshelley1@gmail.com. Verbal and text messages will not be considered. The deadline to enter is midnight, November 10th. No exceptions.
The drawing will be held at the November meeting. We will draw for a winner and an alternate. Good Luck everyone!
THE SHOW is ALMOST UPON US! OCTOBER 9th, 10th, 11th
The Show is the Club’s main source of income. The monies that we earn from the Show supports the Club’s many programs and activities.
It’s that time of year again when we need all hands on deck. From setup on Thursday the 8th until tear down Sunday the 11th. There are jobs for everyone. There are sit down jobs, and ones that require more physical effort and also jobs in between.
Thursday: We need people to help with setup and vendor unloading. Building the fluorescent room, flume assembly, display case assembly, vendor dinner, set up, tear down, help get food out and bring food for the potluck dinner.
Friday and Saturday: We have tickets takers, hospitality hosts and hostesses, info booth guides, floor walkers and vendor assistants.
Sunday: All of the above plus tear down and pack out, and helping the vendors pack up and leave.
Volunteer for the Show!!!
There are signup sheets at the meeting or use the online signup: LINK
The access code is “rocks“. THIS is YOUR CLUB
Show Display Cases
All the display cases we can currently accommodate on the Show floor (not including the cases at the Information Booth and in the Fluorescent Tent) have been reserved. We may be able to add one or two more to the floor plan. If you want to be added to the waiting list, please see me at the upcoming member meeting on September 22nd, or contact me at 256-970-8286.
You must fill your display case before the Show opens on Friday, October 9th. If your case is unfilled, and you haven’t contacted me, your case will be given to the first person on the waiting list.
Thanks for your cooperation and understanding. -Leslie
SFMS is looking for volunteers—to take on officers and committee
chairman duties. These positions are open to anyone who is currently a club member in one of their clubs. Like all gem clubs, the Federation is short of volunteers. It does involve travelling to the 3-4 various Federation meetings throughout the SE each year, and then whatever volunteer work that needs to be done. POC: Mike Harrison
August 2026
Membership Dues are Coming Up!!!
This is just a reminder that your current membership ends Oct 1. If you would like to renew early, Theresa will be accepting payment for dues at the August meeting. If you prefer to pay at the Show that is fine as well. Thanks in advance for prompt payments of dues. -Theresa
Bag Stuffing Party
Gene Powers, who’s in charge of the Gem Mining Flume activity at the Show, is going to have a Bagging Party (for gems and base gravel for the flume) at 9 AM on Saturday, August 29th, at the Education Center. -Gene
SFMS is looking for volunteers—to take on officers and committee chairman duties. These positions are open to anyone who is currently a club member in one of their clubs. Like all gem clubs, the Federation is short of volunteers. It does involve travelling to the 3-4 various Federation meetings throughout the SE each year, and then whatever volunteer work that needs to be done. POC: Mike Harrison
July 2026
President’s Message
Greetings friends! We had a wonderful picnic. Next on the list is our annual gem and mineral show. It will be on Oct. 9-11. Start signing up to volunteer. This is an “All hands on deck” event! There can’t be too many volunteers! This month our meeting will feature our own Bill Friday. He will introduce us to some very unusual stars! See you then! -Jan
Elections
Elections are coming!!! Take an active role in the club and make a difference – officer and board member positions are available.
June 2026
Picnic on June 20th (in lieu of the June meeting)
Members, this year’s Picnic and Rock Swap will be Saturday, 20th June, in Monte Sano State Park (5105 SE Nolen Ave, Huntsville, AL) at the Trailhead Pavilion, aka the “Bikers Trailhead Pavilion”. (Note: This is a change of location from last year. We are NOT meeting at the Large Pavilion stone shelter.)
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.)
TIME: 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. 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.
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. Stay on Nolen. At the fork, bear to your right. The pavilion is located at the Bikers Trailhead near Cabins 1 – 5.
May 2026
President’s Message
Greetings Earthlings and Space Geeks! It is a beautiful spring! Spend some time outside counting the shades of green you see.
Our meeting this month will be on May 26 and will feature Daniel Hudson. He will introduce us to the basics of faceting, and possibly demonstrate his art.
Mark Saturday, June 20 on your calendar. It’s picnic time! The club will provide the meat and members will bring the sides. Shelley has reserved the Trailhead Pavilion at Monte Sano State Park on that Saturday. The club will provide BBQ and members will bring sides. Bring your rocks to trade or sell and have some fun! When you pull in to the park tell them you are with HGMS and there will be no charge for parking.
It is time to start signing up to lead volunteer teams for the show: October 8-11. All hands on deck!
Thank you all for your support! -Jan
November Birthstones:
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