The December 14^th , 2002 meeting of the Capital Mineral Club was the annual Christmas party. Forty five members attended - almost double the attendance of last year!

Those who attended enjoyed a delicious buffet style meal. The eight annual Best Field Collecting and Best Lapidary Contests were held. The members had a good representation in all three collecting divisions this year. We had so many good specimens that we had our first Best of Show tie this year. A run off between Dana Jewell’s jumbo fluorapatite and Jim Tovey’s double terminated amethyst scepter had Dana winning by just one vote. This had Ernie Schlichter producing a crying towel for Jim.

      Top honors were:

BEST FIELD COLLECTING

Palermo #1, North Groton

Hopkinton, Rhode Island

Walworth Quarry, New York

BEST CREATIVE LAPIDARY  

22.10 Ct. Multi-facet Cut

The Christmas party ended with a Yankee swap with Robin Edgewood-Reece

getting the bonus prize. Some great socializing was had by all! Thanks go out to Gordon Jackson-

our Christmas Party Chairman.

          Respectfully submitted,

          Vincent Valade

          Secretary