May Business Meeting Summary

by Andy Thompson, MSDC Secretary

Stilbite on Calcite from the Paterson deposit in West Paterson, New Jersey. This exceptional specimen shows stilbite, a hydrated aluminum silicate, crystallized in a “bow tie” on white calcite. This historical specimen is shown with its 19th century label from Deyrolle of Paris, a dealer that still exits today. The specimen measures 6.6×4.2×4.2 cm. Photo from **https://www.minerals-and-crystals.com/**

As members and guests gathered before the formal start of the meeting, there was extensive discussion about NJ and NY mining and collecting sites, as well as spontaneous show-and-tell sharing of mineral specimens members had collected from those sites. President Dan Teich, for example, showed a stilbite on calcite (not the specimen shown in the above photo) that he obtained from Montclair, NJ, an area where he says in which he loves collecting.

At 7:30 pm Dan called the meeting to order, welcomed everyone, and thanked all for coming. He and the club members welcomed first-time attenders to the meeting: Jake Margolis, Johnny Johnsson, and Mr. Goodluck Mramba. The last-mentioned person’s first name immediately generated multiple invitations that he spend more time being with club members, which he agreed to do.

For their service to the club, Dan then thanked the several past presidents in attendance. He asked for, and received, a motion to approve the April Business Meeting Summary as published in the May newsletter. The motion passed. Dan then called for reports by the club’s officers.

Reports from Club Officers

Vice President for Programs Ken Reynolds reported that he and Laura Dwyer have lined up speakers for the next five programs through December 2026 as follows (updated as of 24 May):

· June 3: Dr. Mike Wise, Recent Acquisitions to the National Gem & Mineral Collections.

If time permits, Mike also will share some current ongoing research. This presentation will not be recorded so you may want to keep your calendar clear for Mike’s Zoom presentation.

· September 2: Les Presmyk, Bisbee AZ

· October 7: Dr. Jacob (Jake) Margolis, Siderite, Barite, and Millerite from the Mount Savage Clay, Frostburg, Allegany County, Maryland

· November 4: Dr. Bob Farrar, The Amethyst Deposits of Southern Brazil

· December 2: Dr. David Maune, Evolution of USGS Mapping Technologies (including USGS 3D Elevation Program, 3 DEP, LIDAR)

Treasurer John Weidner reported that over the past month, like most months, he received payments for a few new memberships, and the club’s finances continue to be stable. Dan asked about the club’s typical expenses which John said consisted of some small payments for technology, for the Eastern Federation insurance, our annual grant for a geology student’s research, and our donation to the Smithsonian’s Department of Mineral Sciences.

Secretary Andy Thompson reported that the relatively spontaneous MSDC field trip tour of the Smithsonian’s geology, gem, and mineral hall brought 17 club members together on April 29 for a 60-minute tour, in two smaller groups. They followed with a lunch together in the lower level of the National Museum of Natural History. Our two tour leaders, Kathy Hrechka and Craig Moore, reported that a good time was had by all.

Andy noted that the MSDC club’s Board of Directors (BOD) would be meeting on the evening of May 9 to address several issues including the club having more social gatherings and finding ways members can help the club’s on-going missions. He encouraged club members to be in touch with Dan or other board members to offer any suggestions they may have for improving the club’s future activities. These activities might include, for example, helping with future social events, collecting and curating mineral donations for future sales, and supporting the club’s ongoing work such as contributing to our newsletter, expanding club membership, and helping with hosting Zoom meetings, if needed.

Old and New Business

No old or new issues were raised (other than those mentioned above) but there was some discussion about possible topics for future monthly presentations, including the minerals of Sardinia (Beth Heesacker) and the discovery of a site in Iceland for spar crystals (double refracting transparent calcite which legend tells of Vikings using for sea navigation) which Johnny Johnsson offered, having visited there during Covid.

Dan thanked Ken Rock for his extraordinary editing of the Mineral Minutes monthly newsletter, which Dan said was the best club newsletter out there. “Between the great newsletter and the excellent monthly programs, no wonder the club is growing and doing so well.” He thanked Ken Reynolds and Laura Dwyer for the excellent past and future programs, which Ken then attributed to Laura’s wonderful help managing.

With no further issues needing discussion, Dan asked for and received a motion to close the business meeting and turned the mic over to Laura Dwyer to introduce the evening’s presenter and topic.