FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[John Jaszczak]

The Seaman Mineral Museum Society hosted its 14th annual fundraiser gala for the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum on Saturday October 2 on the campus of Michigan Technological University in the Memorial Union Ballroom. 82 guests attended.

[John Jaszczak]

Tables were decorated with candles and a tri-colored tourmaline-inspired centerpiece. Guests all received a complimentary elbaite crystal, calendar book, and program.

[John Jaszczak]

During the opening social hour, guests mingled, bid on items in the popular silent auction, and were entertained by ragtime music played on an upright piano by A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum Curator, Dr. George W. Robinson.

[John Jaszczak]

The day started out rainy and cold, but the sun finally came out and showed the fall colors of Copper Country in all their glory. Guests enjoyed a gourmet buffet that featured fresh Lake Superior Trout and great-looking prime rib. Colorful images of tourmaline crystals were projected on screens.

[Gail]

Congratulations John!

[John Jaszczak]

The "theme specimen" is an elbaite crystal (6.5 x 8.5 cm) that has been in the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum collection for a "long time". Its catalog number is DM5. It is from the Pala King Mine, Pala District, San Diego Co., California. The photograph is by John A. Jaszczak and George W. Robinson.

[John Jaszczak]

Pam Hect, co-chair for the Ball, introduce the society board members and thanked the guests for their support of the museum.

[John Jaszczak]

The highlight of the evening was honoring John S. White with the 2010 Dr. Charles A. Salotti Earth Science Education Award. John Jaszczak read the citation. John was honored for his visionary founding of the Mineralogical Record, and for his continuing educational activities through writing, speaking and consulting. In order to help explain the immeasurable of the Mineralogical Record on the mineralogical community, John Jaszczak demonstrated the "Mineralogical Record Ritual". First, you examine your new issue to see if it had been damaged in the mail. Unfortunately, it often is... Next you carefully open the plastic envelope. Before taking out the magazine you vigorously wipe your hands clean on your shirt, or in this case, your tuxedo jacket (see image). Then you may take out the magazine, sit in your favorite chair with a cup of coffee (careful not to get the coffee too close to the magazine) and enjoy.

[Luiz Menezes]

Congratulations, my friend John.

All the best.

Luiz

[John Jaszczak]

John kindly shared some reminiscences with the guests.

[mmauthner]

Congratulations, my friend! Well deserved, indeed.

Mark

[Jordi Fabre]

Lovely reportage John, thanks to share it with us.

And John, well deserved. Hopefully you get still more on the future!

[Carles Curto]

My best wishes for John.
I'm sure that, as the best wines, he is better with the time.

[chris]

Congratulations John.

Christophe

[Ed Huskinson]

Woo Hoo!!! Congratulations John. Well deserved recognition. You deserve the kudos.

Ed

[Pete Modreski]

Thanks for the nice report and pictures of the Ball, John, and to the other John, congratulations on your much deserved award!

P.S. what do you know, at the Saturday evening program & silent auction at the Denver Show, I had commented to someone that "where else do you get the curator of a major mineral museum, providing the musical entertainment?" (Bruce Geller, CSM Museum Director, and his cohort Jay, a.k.a. The Borscht Brothers, played guitar-mandolin music during the event). But now I see that the Seaman Museum also has a musical curator.

Pete

[Antonio Alcaide]

Congratulations, John, from Spain!!

Nice evening, sure.

All the best

[Tracy]

Congratulations John! Well done and much deserved.

- Tracy

[stumpy]

Richly deserved.

[Darren]

John-

I got kicked off Mindat once (account since restored - thanks Jolyon!) for a very snarky ... okay incredibly rude ... comment I made to you a couple of years ago. I must say that since that time, I have learned a hell of a lot from your posts there and here, and truly appreciate all that you have done. A sincere congratulations from me as well.

Darren