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MSDC's Picnic & Potluck

by John Weidner, MSDC Treasurer; photos by Susie Weidner

Our hostess for the picnic, Kathy Hrechka.

Zoom is wonderful. When Covid hit and we were locked out of our usual meeting spot at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Zoom saved us. Zoom also allows us to have members not only all over the country, but also internationally. There is tremendous knowledge and interest in our diverse group of members.

But we miss actually being there – being with, talking to, and eating with our friends. And you are all our friends. So MSDC had a picnic and potluck last month. A couple dozen of us met at Kathy & Ken Hrechka’s lovely home for an afternoon of talking, sharing, and eating. Thanks for hosting, Kathy and Ken.

The highlight was being together in person. The food was a strong second. We also collected donations for our sale table at the Northern Virginia Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show the weekend before Thanksgiving at George Mason University.  

Good Times, Good Food,  Good Fellowship 

To add to the fun, we had a show and tell where we all could actually handle the specimens that members brought in. The show and tell included big rocks:

Laura Dwyer wants to know what it is.

And small rocks:

Bob Cooke prefers his minerals “micro.”

 Senior Presenters:

Miner Mike Kaas is continuing to write up the history of mining districts.

and junior presenters:

Sean Donahue reminds us of when we were starting our collections.

And of course, our president, Dan Teich:

MSDC president Dan Teich showing two New Jersey minerals.

Dan Teich not only brought some New Jersey minerals to show, but also bought the barbeque. Thanks, Dan!  That was good. And our special thanks to whoever arranged for perfect weather for the picnic. 

As we return to our monthly Zoom meetings, please note that we do have another chance for DC area members to get together, namely at the Northern Virginia Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show at George Mason University (see flyer below). We will have a table to greet old and new friends and to sell minerals donated to MSDC. 

If you come to the show, drop by our table to say hello. I’ll be in the kid’s room.  Come see me, too. And please, if you have minerals or fossils to donate, please send them to:

Ed & Susan Fisher, 14981 Gold Post Rd, Centerville Virginia  20121-2148

If at all possible, please include a label and a suggested price. Scan or print the postcard above for a dollar off the entrance price. In the meantime, we hope to see you on our next Zoom meeting on Wednesday, November 5.