March 2020 Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of Shenandoah Valley Gem and Mineral Society
Meeting date: March 9, 2020
Intro:
Leo Cloutier opened the meeting with 26 members and 3 guests present.
Old Business:
Two new families/individuals joined the club.
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New Business:
None.
Program Report:
Leo Cloutier, our charter member of the club, presented a unique program referencing the book The Japanese Art of Stone Appreciation: Suiseki and its Use with Bonsai [Vincent T. Covello & Yuji Yoshimura, Tuttle Publishing; First American Edition December 15, 1989).
Leo got interested in this study in 1985 after a trip to a mineral show in DC. He is now a member of the Potomac Viewing Stone Group.
This art began in China, and was taken up by the Japanese 2000 years ago. It is an appreciation of natural stones, not minerals, as an art form that incorporates water, sand, plants and design.
Small stones, suiseki, are displayed on sand or in water on oblong, rectangular, or oval shaped trays. These trays may be carved wood (daiza) or baked clay (keto) that are hand-made to fit the stone. Suiban are watertight trays that are usually very shallow and oval-shaped.
Leo makes his own trays & displayed several of them. He used cornstarch instead of sand in one and displayed a feather as his sweeper to smooth the material beneath the stone.
One of the club’s favorite displays was a 6” chrysanthemum stone. (see https://www.mindat.org/min-8275.html ).
Viewing stones may be tall (8” to several feet high). These are totally natural and may be indoor or outdoor displays.
Leo uses natural stones he himself has found. The only polish is that which is done by nature.
In some Japanese homes, a “display alcove” is designed. The alcove may be 6’ by 2’ with only one stone displayed at a time on a base that may be a few inches above the floor.
Bonsai plants or wall hangings may be included. Additional stones are placed in special storage boxes until they are displayed.
We’d like to thank Leo for this cultural trip across the world and for giving us another way to display our finds!
Next meeting:
Monthly club meetings are suspended due to the current restrictions on gatherings and non-essential activities. Once these restrictions are lifted, we will resume our meeting schedule.
NOTE: In 2020 and going forward until further notice, we will be starting our meetings at 7:00 pm so we can be finished by 8:30 by request of the library staff. (We will do our usual show and tell after any programs we may have.)
FYI - If Waynesboro City Schools are closed on a meeting day, our meeting will be canceled. The club secretary will try to send out an email ASAP that day, and an announcement will be posted on the club’s Facebook page and web site.
Thanks for your understanding; we want everyone to be safe!
Field Trips: NOTE: All previously announced field trips have been canceled due to the restrictions on travel and non-essential activities. Please do not go to the sites on your own that were sent out.
Doing so may prevent the club from visiting a particular area. Trips must be organized by the club.The club secretary will send information about scheduled/rescheduled trips once they are again feasible.
Looking ahead:
After pandemic restrictions are lifted, the lapidary shop will be open the Saturday following a regular meeting and on the second Saturday after that (See Events At A Glance for a calendar view). Leo, Charlie & Jack can assist you. Open from 9 am to noon.
There are several slab saws and trim saws. Keep in mind that safety is a priority, and wear closed toe shoes, safety glasses, with no loose hair or long sleeves. Children must be supervised and closely monitored to insure they are safely using the equipment. Check this page to see what you can learn to do!
If you’d like to present a program, please talk to an officer at a meeting.
Be sure to keep up with our website www.shenandoahvalleyrockclub.org and our Facebook page Shenandoah Valley Gem and Mineral Society for updates and information.
Deborah Grimm, Secretary
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Club Officers and Staff 2016-2020
President – Michael Pabst
Vice President – Leo Cloutier
Show Co-Chairs – Dean Hostetter/Scott Gregory
Educational Outreach -- Deborah Grimm
Secretary/Newsletter -- Deborah Grimm
Field Trip Coordinators - Scott Steele
Co-Treasurers – Scott Gregory/Deborah Grimm
Web Site Coordinator – Jack Glenn
Club web site: shenandoahvalleyrockclub.org
Club Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ShenandoahValleyGemMineralSociety
Club email: svgem-min-club@live.com