A rolling stone gathers no moss

Tehachapi's Gem and Mineral group is always rolling along and up to something interesting. Did you make it to our yard sale June 24? The yard sale started two years ago as a way to assist the Senior Center after a rough couple years of COVID. The pandemic forced seniors to stay home to avoid contact and yet the building and utilities continued to rack up bills. Given Tehachapi Valley Gem and Mineral Society's close relationship with the Senior Center, we knew we had to do something to help. And, so, the yard sale began.

This year's yard sale was a big success largely due to the donations of local residents and the old idiom that "one person's junk is another's treasure." Donations came in every size and shape from furniture and appliances to tools, crafts and kitchen items. Some people shopped and dropped off items at the same time. There were many treasures to be had and at the end of the day the Gem and Mineral Society turned over 20 crisp, new $100 bills to the Senior Center.

The Yard Sale benefitting the Tehachapi SENIOR CENTER is becoming a permanent fixture in our annual schedule and we hope to see it continue to grow each year. It's in June, so watch for it next year and plan to donate or shop.

Perhaps you saw the Gem and Mineral booth at the Bear Valley Springs show on the 4th of July. The Spin Wheel is always a hit with the kids where for $1 or $5 you can spin the wheel for an interesting fossil or rock. And what child isn't a rockhound? The Gem and Mineral Society consists of people that never outgrew their fascination with rocks!

If you missed the Bear Valley Show or just can't get enough, be sure to attend the Annual Gem and Mineral Show Aug. 19 and 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Senior Center. This large indoor and outdoor show takes place during Tehachapi's Mountain Festival weekend and consists of many vendors selling rough and polished stone, fossils, stone beads, minerals and finished jewelry. Throughout the show there are ongoing silent auctions and raffles of amazing items. The kids will enjoy choosing a rock and watching as it is cut open to reveal a hollow interior, or as it's known in the geology realm – a geode. Take a breath of air that is millions of years old! Enter our biggest raffle for one of three prizes: a display-size amethyst piece with deep purple color and large crystals, a necklace of graduated blue Lapis gemstones and a lovely Maligano Jasper set in sterling silver. The necklaces were made and donated by one of our longtime members and we thank you for your generosity, Christine. Our raffle proceeds go to funding our scholarship program which benefits Tehachapi area high school students, so please be generous in your support. Tickets are 1 for $1 or 6 for $5. You can purchase tickets anytime up until and including the Show. The drawing will be held Sunday, Aug. 20 at 3 p.m. during the show.

If rocks, fossils or gemstones interest you, consider becoming part of our group. We take field trips near and far, learn about geology and have a lapidary workshop with stone cutting tools. Our meetings are the fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. and take place at the Senior Center, 500 E. F St. in Tehachapi. Join us, we'd love to meet you.