View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 26, 2009 23:52 Post subject: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
Last fall I got an email from Steve Chamberlain, the event promoter for the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium held in Rochester, N.Y.
It said that Keith Williams had recommended me as a guest speaker and would I consider doing so? Well, I had heard some wonderful things about this event so shot a reply back saying, "Yes, Indeed, I will be happy to."
After making all arrangements and managing to get Jim to agree to come also, we were geared up for making the trip.
We flew out on Thursday morning, very very very early. Up at 1:30 a.m. to leave by 3:00 and catch a red eye to Chicago, change planes and go on to Rochester.
Things went pretty well and we rented a car, drove all of the five miles to the hotel Radisson.
Well, the moment we walked in the door things were humming. There were micromount rooms, display rooms, speaking rooms, vendor areas, and a whole huge floor of mineral folks who had a rock or two to sell. We met up with Steve and his wife, Helen.
After unpacking, getting something cold to drink and browsing here and there we went on up to the 4th floor. You must have a badge to be allowed where the dealers/collectors are. There is also a hospitality room where couches are lined up, tables with great snacks and a bar, complete with bartenders, are offered for all attendees. A tip jar is all you see, otherwise no charge.
We found that the bartender of the moment was Al Mura who can make a really mean rum and coke, believe me!
We met Steve Stuart and a few others before heading out to peruse the hallway.
Wendy and Frank Melanson, John White, Keith Williams, John Betts, John Medici, Chris Tucker, Alfredo Petrov, Terry Szenics, Jim Mann and many others were set up for visitors and showing off various minerals. The event had tons of Canadians there as well since it is close to the border.
We saw Mike from the Smithsonian and met his lovely wife, and Carl Francis, from the Harvard Museum also, his wife joined us later.
We went in to listen to speakers give presentations, and I will show photos and time frames in my updates tomorrow. ( Too tired after flying all evening )
We also had a nice dinner with many of the attendees and enjoyed a late night with friends. Jolyon Ralph was there also, and I think of him as a dear friend, so we got to catch up on what's new in our lives.
Anyhow, this is the first of many posts I will be making over the next few days. As usual, I like people shots, and this helps me remember names to go with those faces, but I did get a LOT of mineral photos as well. We also managed a lengthy visit with Bill Pinch. Jolyon came with us to see his collection, his art and his Rolls Royce! whew.
Amazing!
He had invited us to his home back in Denver, so we took him up on it.
Come back later tomorrow and I will have added photos and show reports on here, once I download the photos on my home computer.
Let me end this part by saying that the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium is a relaxed, comfortable, somewhat racous and very educational venue.
YOU HAVE GOT TO ATTEND!
Put it on your calendar for next year!!!!
Night. An exhausted Gail
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 09:03 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
Thursday...the fun begins.
Description: |
Ah, some minerals that interest me... |
|
Viewed: |
45027 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Frank Melanson as he sits in his 4th floor room and chats with us as we look at minerals. |
|
Viewed: |
45089 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 09:08 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
A laid back and comfortable atmosphere is a definate change for us. We rather like this way of enjoying browsing, talking, laughing and listening to some bad, but quite funny, jokes from Frank Melanson.
Description: |
Terry Huizing of Rocks and Minerals magazine. |
|
Viewed: |
45093 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
45072 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
We run into James Zigras at the show. |
|
Viewed: |
45007 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 09:12 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
And...
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
45058 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Keith Williams greets us as we come into his room. |
|
Viewed: |
45049 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Picking up flats of minerals, some to give to youngsters. |
|
Viewed: |
45011 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 09:16 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
more fun on Thursday..
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
45006 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
minerals on display for sale. |
|
Viewed: |
45027 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Browsing the minerals for sale... |
|
Viewed: |
45005 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 09:18 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
More photos.
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44992 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
45032 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
45056 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 09:23 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
We met so many great people here. The minerals were wonderful with many from Canada and the New York state area. Maine was prevalent also.
Description: |
The infamous hallway. This is still set up time. |
|
Viewed: |
45039 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Jim and John White discuss minerals. |
|
Viewed: |
45010 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
George Robinson and his lovely wife, Susan. |
|
Viewed: |
45023 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 09:28 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
More shots of the hallway and it's unusual characters.
Description: |
Dr. Lance Kearns enjoying some liquid refreshment. |
|
Viewed: |
44993 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Hallways meetings, greetings and great stories. |
|
Viewed: |
45001 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Van King on the left and Jeff Scovil on the right.having fun! |
|
Viewed: |
45033 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 09:31 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
Some of the variety shown at the dealers rooms.
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
45066 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
45050 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
45016 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
45007 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 09:37 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
Things going on...
Description: |
Jim chatting with Steve Stuart in the hospitality room. |
|
Viewed: |
44943 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Lois Heitner is a woman I met at the hospitality room, we became friends after some good laughs and stories were shared. |
|
Viewed: |
45045 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44964 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Al Mura, Symposium regular and wonderful contributor to Mineralology...but today, he is our bartender! |
|
Viewed: |
44947 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 09:41 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
Some of the faces around the symposium.
Description: |
Jolyon Ralph thinking about his lecture for the next day. |
|
Viewed: |
44937 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
45028 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44985 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 09:46 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
Meeting people.
Description: |
Chet Lemanski. Super nice guy! |
|
Viewed: |
45005 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44936 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Catching Carl Francis with the camera! |
|
Viewed: |
44936 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44897 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 09:52 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
More.
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44900 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44938 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Jolyon Ralph and me, we are really good friends. |
|
Viewed: |
44915 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44894 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 09:56 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
Dinner on Thursday.
Description: |
Steve Chamberlain making some announcements. |
|
Viewed: |
44902 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44906 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
45012 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Steve Chamberlain in the middle. |
|
Viewed: |
44916 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 10:01 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
Friday at the show. We went into the play room...er, display room! Many wonderful exhibits are to be found. See some below.
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44935 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44857 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44881 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44927 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44920 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 10:05 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
Displays
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44897 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44870 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44920 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44905 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44894 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 10:09 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
More photos.
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44904 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44887 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44925 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44894 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44872 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 13:00 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
Some of John White's marvelous Minerals of the Deccan Traps, India.
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44787 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44775 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44772 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44767 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44797 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 13:40 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
And yet more....
Description: |
Small gatherings in the display room. |
|
Viewed: |
44734 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Jim enjoying the displays. |
|
Viewed: |
44694 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44708 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44740 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
|
Posted: Apr 27, 2009 13:45 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's write up of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, 2009 |
|
|
Some familiar faces.
Description: |
Ray McDougall and friend. |
|
Viewed: |
44645 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44690 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44669 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
44653 Time(s) |
|
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|