Minnesota Mineral Club

MMC Meeting January 2022
2022-01-29 17:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | MN
Meeting Schedule:
5:30-6:30pm – Social Hour
6:30-7:30pm – Club Proceedings
7:30-8:30pm – Presentation
8:30-9pm – Wrap up

MMC Board Meeting
2022-02-11 18:30 - 19:30, 2022-03-11 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | MN

MMC March Meeting
2022-03-19 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Roseville Skating Center and Banquet Facility, 2661 Civic Center Drive, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
Our March meeting will be held in-person at the Roseville Skating Center and Banquet Facility and will also be broadcast via Zoom. Demonstration Night will include: geode cutting with a lapidary saw, rock drilling, Alaskan fossil collection display and discussion, gemstone tree display and discussion, Columbian mineral display and discussion, quartz variety display and discussion, MN rock and mineral display and discussion, bismuth display and discussion, wire wrapping display and discussion, and more! We will also have a field trip table set up with our tour directors discussing trips and displaying previous trip finds.
*If you are joining us in-person, please note we do not have a hospitality volunteer at this time. We will only provide bottled water. Feel free to bring your own beverage and snack (no alcohol).
Here is the schedule:
6:00-6:30pm – Arrival/Socializing/Demonstrator Set Up
6:30-7:30pm – Club Proceedings
7:30-8:30pm – Demonstrations
8:30-8:45pm – Wrap up/Clean up
If you are unable to join us in person, I will broadcast the meeting live via Zoom. When we move into the demonstration portion, I will visit each table so online attendees can view and ask any questions.
Zoom Meeting Details:
Join Live via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82279862838?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 822 7986 2838
Passcode: [REDACTED]
We hope you can join us!
Kind regards,
Ashley Bedard
Program Director

MMC Board Meeting
2022-04-08 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | MN
MMC April Board Meeting

MMC April Meeting and Presentation
2022-04-16 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | MN
MMC April Meeting and Presentation by Dr. Peter Makovicky, “Parrosaurus Missouriensis” (In-person and virtually)

MMC May Meeting & Silent Auction
2022-05-07 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | MN
MMC May Meeting & Silent Auction
*This is a members-only Silent Auction*
Email program@minnesotamineralclub.org for details.

MMC Member-Only Rock Swap & Picnic
2022-06-26 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | MN
Member-Only Rock Swap and Picnic – 10am-2pm

September Club Meeting
2022-09-10 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
Our September meeting will be held in-person at the Creekside Community Center and will also be broadcast via Zoom. Our meeting will focus on club updates, annual show information, summer finds, and a tour of the Rock Shop located at our new meeting facility!
Here is the schedule:
6:00-6:30pm – Arrival/Socializing
6:30-7:30pm – Club Proceedings
7:30-8:30pm – Summer Finds and Rock Shop Tour
8:30-8:45pm – Wrap up/Clean up
*Please note that we are not able to enter the meeting space until 6pm, and we must vacate by 8:45pm.
Zoom Meeting Details:
Join Live via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89732353303?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 897 3235 3303
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Please RSVP here.

Annual Rock, Gem, & Mineral Show
2022-09-24 10:00 - 2022-09-25 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Dairy Building, 1694 Judson Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, United States

October Club Meeting
2022-10-08 18:00 - 20:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
Our October meeting will be held in-person at the Creekside Community Center and will also be broadcast via Zoom. Our meeting will focus on club updates, annual show volunteer prizes, and a presentation on “Prospecting for Dinosaurs” by longtime club member Al Olson.
Here is the schedule:
6:00-6:30pm – Arrival/Socializing
6:30-7:30pm – Club Proceedings
7:30-8:30pm – Presentation
8:30-8:45pm – Wrap up/Clean up
*Please note that we are not able to enter the meeting space until 6pm, and we must vacate by 8:45pm.
Zoom Meeting Details:
Join Live via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89732353303?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 897 3235 3303
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Please RSVP here.

November Club Meeting
2022-11-12 18:00 - 20:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
Our November meeting will be held in-person at the Creekside Community Center and will also be broadcast via Zoom.
Here is the schedule:
6:00-6:30pm – Arrival/Socializing
6:30-7:00pm – Club Proceedings
7:00-8:00pm – Presentation: Record of an Ancient Meteorite Impact Buried Beneath the Twin Cities, MN by Julia Steenberg, Geologist, Minnesota Geological Survey
8:00-8:30pm – Wrap up/Socializing
8:30-8:45pm – Clean up
*Please note that we are not able to enter the meeting space until 6pm, and we must vacate by 8:45pm.
Zoom Meeting Details:
Join Live via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89732353303?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 897 3235 3303
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Please RSVP here.

December Club Meeting
2022-12-10 18:00 - 20:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
Our December meeting will be held in-person at the Creekside Community Center and will also be broadcast via Zoom. If you would like to participate in a gift exchange, please bring a wrapped $10-15 rock, mineral, or fossil themed gift for exchange.
Here is the schedule:
6:00-6:30pm – Arrival/Socializing
6:30-7:30pm – Club Proceedings
7:30-8:30pm – Show and Tell
8:30-8:45pm – Wrap Up/Clean up
*Please note that we are not able to enter the meeting space until 6pm, and we must vacate by 8:45pm.
Zoom Meeting Details:
Join Live via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89732353303?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 897 3235 3303
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Please RSVP here.

January Club Meeting
2023-01-14 18:00 - 20:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
Our January meeting will include installment of the 2023 Board of Directors, BYO meal, and a couple of rock themed TED Talks. If you would like, please bring your own meal – the club will provide beverages (soda, coffee, water) and desserts. Here is the agenda for January 14th:
6:00-6:30pm – Arrival/Socializing
6:30-7:30pm – Club Proceedings
7:30-8:30pm – TED Talks/Socializing
8:30-8:45pm – Wrap Up/Clean up
*Please note that we are not able to enter the meeting space until 6pm, and we must vacate by 8:45pm.
Please RSVP here.
Zoom Meeting Details:
Join Live via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89732353303?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 897 3235 3303
Passcode: [REDACTED]

February Club Meeting
2023-02-11 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
Our February meeting will include a presentation by Cara Santelli, Associate Professor, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota. She has served in a former role as a curator of the National Gems and Minerals Collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Cara will bring her experience and expertise to deliver a talk titled, “Minerals, microbes, and a healthy planet”. Here is the agenda for February 11th:
6:00-6:30pm – Arrival/Socializing
6:30-7:00pm – Club Proceedings
7:00-8:00pm – Presentation
8:00-8:30pm – Q&A/Wrap up/Socializing
*Please note that we are not able to enter the meeting space until 6pm, and we must vacate by 8:45pm.
Please RSVP here.
Zoom Meeting Details:
Join Live via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89732353303?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 897 3235 3303
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Our March meeting will include Demonstration Night. If you are interested in demonstrating your skills, please let me know so I can prepare enough space for all those who wish to participate (email program@minnesotamineralclub.org). Examples of past demonstrations include: geode cutting with a lapidary saw, rock drilling, Alaskan fossil collection display and discussion, gemstone tree display and discussion, Columbian mineral display and discussion, quartz variety display and discussion, MN rock and mineral display and discussion, bismuth display and discussion, wire wrapping display and discussion, and more!
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Kind regards,
Ashley Bedard
Program Director

March Club Meeting
2023-03-11 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
Our March meeting will include Demonstration Night. If you are interested in demonstrating your skills, please let me know so I can prepare enough space for all those who wish to participate (email program@minnesotamineralclub.org). Examples of past demonstrations include: geode cutting with a lapidary saw, rock drilling, Alaskan fossil collection display and discussion, gemstone tree display and discussion, Columbian mineral display and discussion, quartz variety display and discussion, MN rock and mineral display and discussion, bismuth display and discussion, wire wrapping display and discussion, and more! Here is the agenda for March 11th:
6:00-6:30pm – Arrival/Socializing
6:30-7:00pm – Club Proceedings
7:00-8:00pm – Demonstrations
8:00-8:30pm – Wrap up/Socializing
*Please note that we are not able to enter the meeting space until 6pm, and we must vacate by 8:45pm.
Please RSVP here.
Zoom Meeting Details:
Join Live via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89732353303?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 897 3235 3303
Passcode: [REDACTED]
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Kind regards,
Ashley Bedard
Program Director

April Club Meeting
2023-04-08 18:00 - 20:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
Our April 8th club meeting will include a presentation on “Fluorescent Minerals” by Chris Clemens, Chapter President of the Midwest Chapter Fluorescent Mineral Society. He will be presenting via Zoom and we will live stream the presentation at the in-person meeting.
Here is the agenda for April 8th:
6:00-6:30pm – Arrival/Socializing
6:30-7:00pm – Club Proceedings
7:00-8:00pm – Presentation on Fluorescent Minerals
8:00-8:30pm – Q&A/Wrap up/Socializing
*Please note that we are not able to enter the meeting space until 6pm, and we must vacate by 8:45pm.
Please RSVP here: April Meeting RSVP
Zoom Meeting Details:
Join Live via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89732353303?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 897 3235 3303
Passcode: [REDACTED]
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Kind regards,
Ashley Bedard
Program Director

May Club Meeting and Annual Auction
2023-05-13 18:00 - 20:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
Our May Club meeting will include brief club proceedings and then we will jump right into our Annual Club Auction!
Our annual Club Auction is one of our biggest Club fundraising activities. We will have a “Live” auction segment to go along with the Silent Auction. The success of this event in the past has been thanks to the charitable donations of our friends and members.
Donations are greatly appreciated! We already have donations from Kingsley North, Hi-Tech Diamond, ZRS Fossils & Gifts and several club members!
Here is the schedule:
6:00-6:30pm – Arrival/Socializing, Donate, Receive Bidding Number
6:30-6:45pm – Club Proceedings
6:45-7:05pm – Round 1 Silent Auction Bidding
7:05-7:15pm – 3 to 5 Tables close, Live Auction Item Bidding
7:15-7:30pm – Round 2 Silent Auction Bidding
7:30-7:40pm – 3 to 5 Tables close, Live Auction Bidding
7:40-7:50pm – Round 3 Silent Auction Bidding
7:50-8:00pm – 3 to 5 Tables close, Live Auction Bidding
8:00-8:30pm – Pay and pick up items won
8:30-8:45pm – Wrap up/Clean up
Please RSVP here. You will have the opportunity to list any items you would like to donate so we can get an idea of the amount of space needed for items. If you have a donation, but are unable to attend the event, please contact Ashley to arrange pick up/drop off.
To make the donation process run smoothly, we encourage members to print bid sheets and fill out the following fields: “Donated by”, “Description of item”, and “Minimum Starting Bid”. MMC volunteers will assign a lot number at the silent auction. Click here for bid sheets.

If you would like to volunteer at the auction, please email Ashley at program@minnesotamineralclub.org.

We hope you can join us!
Kind regards,
Ashley Bedard
Program Director

September 2023 Club Meeting
2023-09-09 18:00 - 20:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
Our September meeting will be held in-person at the Creekside Community Center and will also be broadcast via Zoom. Our meeting will focus on club updates, annual show information, and summer finds. Bring your rockhounding finds from this summer and share your stories with members!
Here is the schedule:
6:00-6:30pm – Arrival/Socializing
6:30-7:30pm – Club Proceedings, Annual Show Information
7:30-8:30pm – Summer Finds
8:30-8:45pm – Wrap up/Clean up
*Please note that we are not able to enter the meeting space until 6pm, and we must vacate by 8:45pm.
Zoom Meeting Details:
Join Live via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89732353303?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 897 3235 3303
Passcode: [REDACTED]
We hope you can join us!
Kind regards,
Ashley Bedard
Program Director
RSVP here.

October Club Meeting
2023-10-14 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
The October 14th meeting will include the “Find of the Year” contest. It has been several years, but it is back by popular demand! Please see meeting agenda and contest category details below:

Here is the agenda for October 14:
6:00-6:30pm – Arrival/Socializing/Setting up contest entries
6:30-7:00pm – Club Proceedings
7:00-7:45pm – Viewing and Voting on “Find of the Year”
7:45-8:00pm – Socializing (while votes are counted)
8:00-8:30pm – Winners announced/Wrap up

“Find of the Year” Contest – Categories and Details
*Note: All categories include only items that were found or made during the current year, and not purchased with the exception of the Urban Rockhounding category. You must be in-person to enter the contest.Categories for the “Find of the Year” are as follows:

Fossils & Artifacts: May be a fossil specimen (plant or animal), or rockhound related artifact item found in the current year. Artifact examples could be arrowheads, or native rock tools. Judging criteria for this category may include material age and condition.
Cabochons: May be of various material and designs, made in the current year. Judging criteria for this category may include Quality of Material, Workmanship, Design, and Composition.
Carving: May be of various material and designs, made in the current year. Judging criteria for this category may include Quality of Material, Workmanship, Design, and Composition.
Faceting: May be of any material, made in the current year. Judging criteria for this category may includeQuality of Material, Perfection of Facet Meets, and Quality of Polish.
Hand Wrought Jewelry: May be items intended for personal ornamentation and made of various materials and designs, made in the current year. Examples include wire wrapping, bead stringing, silversmithing, etc. Judging criteria for this category may include Workmanship and Design.
Lake Superior Agates: May be any Lake Superior Agate collected during the current year. Judging criteria for this category may include Size, Color, and Pattern.
Other Agates: May be any agate collected during the current year that are not LSA. Examples include Montana Moss, Bubble Gum, Fire, etc. Judging criteria for this category may include Size, Color, and Pattern.
Rocks & Minerals: May include any rock, mineral, or crystal collected during the current year. Judging criteria for this category may include Size, Rarity, and Perfection.
Open Lapidary: May be lapidary works of various materials and designs not covered by the Cabochons, Carving, Faceting, and Hand Wrought Jewelry categories that were made in the current year. Examples include spheres, eggs, intarsia, mosaics, etc. Judging criteria for this category may include Quality of Material, Workmanship, and Design.
Urban Rockhounding: May include items related to the rockhound hobby that were acquired during the current year at garage or rummage sales, thrift shops, etc. This does not include any items purchased at Rock Shows or Shops. Judging criteria for this category may include Material, Rarity, and Condition.
Kids: May include rocks, minerals, fossils, artifacts, lapidary, etc. that were found or made during the current year. Judging criteria for this category may include Material, Size, Color, Condition, Workmanship, and Design.
People’s Choice Award: May be any item in the contest.

All winners will receive a certificate and will be published in the November RRN.

*Please note that we are not able to enter the meeting space until 6pm, and we must vacate by 8:45pm.

Please RSVP here: October 2023 Meeting RSVP
Join Live via Zoom: *Please note if you join via Zoom, I will end the Zoom portion after giving Zoomers a view of the contest entries (around 7:15pm).
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89732353303?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 897 3235 3303
Passcode: [REDACTED]
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Ashley Bedard
Program Director

November 2023 Club Meeting
2023-11-11 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
Our November 11th meeting will include a presentation by Eric Moen on “The Magic of Faceting”.

Here is a list of remaining meetings for 2023:

November 11 – Club Meeting and Presentation by Eric Moen
December 9 – Club Meeting, Potluck, and Installation of 2024 Officers

Here is the agenda for November 11:
6:00-6:30pm – Arrival/Socializing
6:30-7:00pm – Club Business
7:00-8:00pm -Presentation
8:00-8:30pm – Wrap up/Socializing
8:30-8:45pm – Clean Up

*Please note that we are not able to enter the meeting space until 6pm, and we must vacate by 8:45pm.

Please RSVP here: November 2023 Meeting RSVP
**Please note, if you are interested in participating in the rock swap, you will be able to indicate that on the RSVP link above. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please see the details in the November RRN.
Join Live via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89732353303?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 897 3235 3303
Passcode: [REDACTED]

I look forward to seeing you soon!
Ashley Bedard
Program Director

December 2023 Club Meeting
2023-12-09 18:00 - 20:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
Our December meeting will be held in-person at the Creekside Community Center and will also be broadcast via Zoom. Our program will include a potluck, installation of 2024 Officers, and a gift exchange. The potluck and gift exchange are voluntary. Feel free to bring a dish to share. If you would like to participate in the gift exchange, please bring a wrapped $10-15 rock, mineral, or fossil themed gift for exchange.

Here is the schedule:
6:00-6:30pm – Arrival/Socializing/Potluck
6:30-7:30pm – Club Proceedings/Installation of 2024 Officers
7:30-8:30pm – Potluck/Gift Exchange/Socializing
8:30-8:45pm – Wrap Up/Clean up
*Please note that we are not able to enter the meeting space until 6pm, and we must vacate by 8:45pm.
Please RSVP here: December 2023 Meeting RSVP

**Please note, if you are interested in participating in the rock swap, please contact John Porter at jpo636@gmail.com. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please see the details in the November RRN.
Join Live via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89732353303?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 897 3235 3303
Passcode: [REDACTED]

I look forward to seeing you soon!
Ashley Bedard
Program Director

January 2024 Club Meeting and Presentation
2024-01-13 18:00 - 20:45 (America/Chicago) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
Our January meeting will be held in-person at the Creekside Community Center and will also be broadcast via Zoom. Our program will include regular club business and a presentation by Philip Persson from Persson Rare Minerals LLC in Golden, Colorado.

January Meeting Schedule:
6:00-6:30pm – Socializing/Member Rock Swap-Sale
6:30-7:00pm – Club Business
7:00-8:15pm – Presentation by Philip Persson
8:15-8:45pm – Socializing/Wrap up
*Please note that we are not able to enter the meeting space until 6pm, and we must vacate by 8:45pm.
Please RSVP here: January 2024 Meeting RSVP

**Please note, if you are interested in participating in the rock swap, please contact John Porter at jpo636@gmail.com. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please see the details in the November RRN.
Join Live via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89732353303?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 845 1788 6198
Passcode: [REDACTED]

I look forward to seeing you soon!
Laura Pionek
Program Director

February 2024 Club Meeting and Presentation - The Paleo Discoveries of the Dinosaur Ridge by Erin LaCount
2024-02-10 18:00 - 20:45 (America/Chicago) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
Our February meeting will be held in-person at the Creekside Community Center and will also be broadcast via Zoom. Our program will include regular club business and a presentation on The Paleo Discoveries of the Dinosaur Ridge given by Erin LaCount, the Education Programs Director at Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison, Colorado.
February Meeting Schedule:

6:00-6:30pm – Socializing/Member Rock Swap-Sale
6:30-7:00pm – Club Business
7:00-8:15pm – Presentation: The Paleo Discoveries of the Dinosaur Ridge by Erin LaCount
8:15-8:45pm – Socializing/Wrap up
*Please note that we are not able to enter the meeting space until 6pm, and we must vacate by 8:45pm.

Please RSVP here: February 2024 Meeting RSVP

**Please note, if you are interested in participating in the rock swap, please contact John Porter at jpo636@gmail.com. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please see the details in the November RRN.
Join Live via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3039416730?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 303 941 6730
Passcode: [REDACTED]

I look forward to seeing you soon!
Laura Pionek
Program Director

March 2024 Club Meeting and Demonstrations Night
2024-03-09 18:00 - 20:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
Our March meeting will include Demonstration Night. If you are interested in demonstrating your skills, please let me know so I can prepare enough space for all those who wish to participate (email program@minnesotamineralclub.org). Examples of past demonstrations include: geode cutting with a lapidary saw, rock drilling, Alaskan fossil collection display and discussion, gemstone tree display and discussion, Columbian mineral display and discussion, quartz variety display and discussion, MN rock and mineral display and discussion, bismuth display and discussion, wire wrapping display and discussion, and more! Here is the agenda for March 11th:
March Meeting Schedule:
6:00-6:30pm – Arrival/Socializing
6:30-7:00pm – Club Business
7:00-8:00pm – Demonstrations
8:00-8:30pm – Wrap up/Socializing
*Please note that we are not able to enter the meeting space until 6pm, and we must vacate by 8:45pm.
Please RSVP here: March 2024 Meeting RSVP

**Please note, if you are interested in participating in the rock swap, please contact John Porter at jpo636@gmail.com. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please see the details in the November RRN.
Join Live via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3039416730?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 303 941 6730
Passcode: [REDACTED]

I look forward to seeing you soon!
Laura Pionek
Program Director

April 2024 Club Meeting and Presentation by The Agate Man!
2024-04-13 18:00 - 20:45 (America/Chicago) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
We are very excited to be welcoming The Agate Man to the Creekside Community Center. Lyndon D. Johnson will be bringing ~ 300lbs of specimens and sharing his knowledge of Lake Superior Agates and other Minnesota gems and minerals. Lyndon is well-known for the incredible agates he finds, including a 31-pound dendritic agate and his most recent find, a 21-pound brecciated agate! He is the author of Lake Superior Agates, What to Look For and has been featured on Minnesota Bound, Due North Outdoors and Pioneer PBS’ Landmarks – Minnesota Collections.
It is sure to be a fun and informative evening!

April Meeting Schedule:
6:00-6:30pm – Socializing/Member Rock Swap-Sale
6:30-7:00pm – Club Business
7:00-8:15pm – Presentation by the Agate Man
8:15-8:45pm – Socializing/Wrap up
*Please note that we are not able to enter the meeting space until 6pm, and we must vacate by 8:45pm.
Please RSVP here: April 2024 Meeting RSVP

**Please note, if you are interested in participating in the rock swap, please contact John Porter at jpo636@gmail.com. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please see the details in the November RRN.
Join Live via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3039416730?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 303 941 6730
Passcode: [REDACTED]

I look forward to seeing you soon!
Laura Pionek
Program Director

May 2024 Club Meeting and Spring Auction
2024-05-11 18:00 - 20:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
Our May Club meeting will include brief club proceedings and then we will jump right into our Spring Auction (which means, yes… we are having more than one auction this year!)
Our club auctions are some of our biggest Club fundraising activities. We will have a “Live” auction segment to go along with the Silent Auction. The success of this event in the past has been thanks to the charitable donations of our friends and members.
CLICK here to view several piece of lapidary equipment that will be featured in the live auction.
Donations are greatly appreciated, so please reach out to program@minnesotamineralclub.org if you have donations or would like to suggest businesses for us to reach out to.
May Meeting and Annual Auction Schedule:6:00-6:30pm – Arrival/Socializing, Donate, Receive Bidding Number6:30-6:45pm – Club Business6:45-7:05pm – Round 1 Silent Auction Bidding7:05-7:15pm – 3 to 5 Tables close, Live Auction Item Bidding7:15-7:30pm – Round 2 Silent Auction Bidding7:30-7:40pm – 3 to 5 Tables close, Live Auction Bidding7:40-7:50pm – Round 3 Silent Auction Bidding7:50-8:00pm – 3 to 5 Tables close, Live Auction Bidding8:00-8:30pm – Pay and pick up items won8:30-8:45pm – Wrap up/Clean up

Please May Meeting and Auction RSVP.
You will have the opportunity to list any items you would like to donate so we can get an idea of the amount of space needed for items. If you have a donation, but are unable to attend the event, please contact Ashley to arrange pick up/drop off.
To make the donation process run smoothly, we encourage members to print bid sheets and fill out the following fields: “Donated by”, “Description of item”, and “Minimum Starting Bid”. MMC volunteers will assign a lot number at the silent auction. Click here to download Bid Sheets.

If you would like to volunteer at the auction, please email Laura at program@minnesotamineralclub.org.

We hope you can join us!
Cheers,Laura PionekProgram Director

September 2024 Club Meeting and Presentation by NASA Space Ambassador
2024-09-14 14:30 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
We are thrilled to announce we will be having a guest speaker from NASA’s Space Ambassador program. Kevin Cole is an Assistant Professor of Earth Science and Astronomy in the Math/Science Department of Harper College and his talk, titled “DART, Hera, and Planetary Defense”, will educate us on planetary defense and the threat of potentially harmful asteroid impacts. He has been involved in meteorite analysis and classification (using the electron-probe micro-analyzer at the University of Illinois-Chicago) for the Planetary Studies Foundation. In addition, he holds a position as a public lecturer for the Cernan Earth and Space Center, Triton College. Prior to that, Kevin was a Staff Scientist for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) where he participated in advanced planetary mission concept analyses under various NASA contracts.

September Meeting Schedule:2:30-3:00pm – Socializing/Member Rock Swap-Sale3:00-3:30pm – Club Proceedings3:30-4:30pm – Guest Speaker: Kevin Cole, NASA Space Ambassador “DART, Hera, and Planetary Defense”4:30-5:00pm – Socializing/Wrap up

*Please note that we are not able to enter the meeting space until 2:30pm, and we must vacate by 5:00pm.

Please RSVP here: September 2024 Meeting RSVP

**Please note, if you are interested in participating in the rock swap, please contact John Porter at jpo636@gmail.com. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please see the details in the latest RRN.

Zoom Meeting Details:Join Live via Zoom:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3039416730?pwd=[REDACTED] ID: 303 941 6730Passcode: [REDACTED]
We hope you can join us!
Cheers,Laura PionekProgram Director

October 2024 Club Meeting
2024-10-12 14:30 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
Our October Club meeting will include brief club proceedings and then Ben Chorn will treat us to a great presentation on Montana Moss Agates
We are very excited to welcome our own Ben Chorn to teach us about the amazing Moss Agates from Montana. Ben is professional Geologist licensed in Illinois and Minnesota, He got his a bachelors in Geology and in Business Management from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana. He went on to earn his MS in Geology from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Ben travels to Montana every year to unearth more incredible moss agates. He is also a key volunteer in the Minnesota Mineral Club, being an instrumental contributor to the clubs success for many years.
October Meeting Schedule:2:30-3:00pm – Socializing/Member Rock Swap-Sale3:00-3:30pm – Club Proceedings3:30-4:30pm – Guest Speaker: Ben Chorn “Moss Agates from Montana”4:30-5:00pm – Socializing/Wrap up
Please RSVP here:October Meeting RSVP.

**Please note, if you are interested in participating in the rock swap, please contact John Porter at jpo636@gmail.com. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please see the details in the latest RRN.

Zoom Meeting Details:
Join Live via Zoom:
https://zoom.us/meeting/84329591949?amp_device_id=71977fb3-c1a5-46f2-bcb4-a6eca138b97a

Meeting ID: 303 941 6730
Passcode: [REDACTED]
We hope you can join us!
Cheers,Laura PionekProgram Director

November 2024 Club Meeting Sharing Finds + Find of the Year Contest
2024-11-09 14:30 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St S, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
In our November meeting we will be running our 2nd Annual “Find of the Year” contest as well as sharing our summer finds, so bring your rockhounding finds from this summer and share your stories with members and be ready to vote on the stellar finds of the 2024 season! Please see meeting agenda and contest category details below. We will additionally do our normal club updates and share information about the 2024 Annual Show.
The meeting will be held in-person at the Creekside Community Center and will also be broadcast via Zoom.

September Meeting Schedule:2:30-2:45pm – Arrival/Socializing2:45-3:15pm – Club Proceedings, Annual Show Information3:15-4:15pm – Summer Finds Viewing and Voting on “Find of the Year”4:15-4:30pm – Socializing (while votes are counted)4:30-5:00pm – Winners announced/Wrap up
“Find of the Year” Contest – Categories and Details*Note: All categories include only items that were found or made during the current year, and not purchased with the exception of the Urban Rockhounding category. You must be in-person to enter the contest. Categories for the “Find of the Year” are as follows:

Fossils & Artifacts: May be a fossil specimen (plant or animal), or rockhound related artifact item found in the current year. Artifact examples could be arrowheads, or native rock tools. Judging criteria for this category may include material age and condition.
Cabochons: May be of various material and designs, made in the current year. Judging criteria for this category may include Quality of Material, Workmanship, Design, and Composition.
Carving: May be of various material and designs, made in the current year. Judging criteria for this category may include Quality of Material, Workmanship, Design, and Composition.
Faceting: May be of any material, made in the current year. Judging criteria for this category may includeQuality of Material, Perfection of Facet Meets, and Quality of Polish.
Hand Wrought Jewelry: May be items intended for personal ornamentation and made of various materials and designs, made in the current year. Examples include wire wrapping, bead stringing, silversmithing, etc. Judging criteria for this category may include Workmanship and Design.
Lake Superior Agates: May be any Lake Superior Agate collected during the current year. Judging criteria for this category may include Size, Color, and Pattern.
Other Agates: May be any agate collected during the current year that are not LSA. Examples include Montana Moss, Bubble Gum, Fire, etc. Judging criteria for this category may include Size, Color, and Pattern.
Rocks & Minerals: May include any rock, mineral, or crystal collected during the current year. Judging criteria for this category may include Size, Rarity, and Perfection.
Open Lapidary: May be lapidary works of various materials and designs not covered by the Cabochons, Carving, Faceting, and Hand Wrought Jewelry categories that were made in the current year. Examples include spheres, eggs, intarsia, mosaics, etc. Judging criteria for this category may include Quality of Material, Workmanship, and Design.
Urban Rockhounding: May include items related to the rockhound hobby that were acquired during the current year at garage or rummage sales, thrift shops, etc. This does not include any items purchased at Rock Shows or Shops. Judging criteria for this category may include Material, Rarity, and Condition.
Kids: May include rocks, minerals, fossils, artifacts, lapidary, etc. that were found or made during the current year. Judging criteria for this category may include Material, Size, Color, Condition, Workmanship, and Design.
People’s Choice Award: May be any item in the contest.

All winners will receive a certificate and will be published in the November 2024 RRN.

*Please note that we are not able to enter the meeting space until 2:30pm, and we must vacate by 5:00pm.
Please RSVP here: November 2024 Meeting RSVP

Join Live via Zoom:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3039416730?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 303 941 6730Passcode: [REDACTED]

I look forward to seeing you soon!Laura PionekProgram Director
