Mona Waibel
For The New Era
Nearly 3,000 persons attended the 61st annual Sweet Home Rock and Gem Show Saturday and Sunday at the Sweet Home High School Activity Gym.
The actual tally of paid visitors was 2,227 adults and 424 children under 12, as well as 150 Sweet Home Rock and Gem members.
For just 50 cents adults enjoyed lively rock exhibits. Some locals exhibited hand-made arrowheads, scenery stones, precious Holley Blue Agate jewelry, Biggs Junction picture agate and delightful moss agate.
Exhibits of thunder eggs were everywhere for the celebration year of that particular stone. The Willamette Agate Society brought displays of special thunder eggs. These rocks were round and rough, but what is inside is an incredible surprise. They may be crystal, picture agate or filled with priceless agatized moss. The displays all were cut and polished to show off the splendor of Oregon’s state gem.
Special handcrafted awards were given for the Viewer’s Choice. First place went to Cathee Bechtel of Lebanon for her colorful all-rock rainbow, second to Bob Waibel of Sweet Home for his Holley blue agate display, and third to Emery Wagner, also of Sweet Home, for his thunder eggs with pictures, one of which resembled Casper the Friendly Ghost.
Children from local schools displayed egg cartons of their own collections, winning ribbons and trophies. First-place winner in the 5-7-year-old age category was Cole Mizsel of Sweet Home. First in the 8-10year-old category was Daniel Barraza of Sweet Home, with Tiana Lander of Lebanon second and Kai Miner of Eugene third. The winner in the 11-13-year-old division was TJ Baham of Sweet Home, with Nathan Kinkade of Lebanon second.
Every child received a free egg filled with polished agates, petrified wood and beautiful stones of many colors. Children also enjoyed grab bags of polished stones. The price was small and the packages large. Children and adults enjoyed the spinning wheel where rocks are sold at silent auction and prizes are won.
Visitors could bring a rock to be identified by an expert host, Dr. Robert Rose, who was kept busy explaining the kind of stone, how it was formed and its approximate age. Some rocks might be centuries old and valuable.
Fine demonstrations occurred both days from several artists. Eileen Paul of Roseburg’s Bead Patch demonstrated making glass beads. Emily Start returned designing her incredible jewelry pieces, with wire wrapping and interesting designs. Start did precious stones wrapping and sold pendants, rings and earrings. The club president, Dennis Williams, an outstanding local craftsman did silver smithing. Paul will be offering a glass bead class soon.
Eleven dealers sold their wares in booths. The prices were reasonable and of good quality. Rock Club members were hosts, and Dee David chaired the successful two-day rock show.