FAIRFIELD – The Sac & Fox Lapidary Club is excited to announce the return of its annual “Rocktoberfest” gem, mineral, and lapidary show, set to take place on October 14-15 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. This eagerly anticipated event will offer a weekend brimming with geological marvels, operating from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The best part? Admission is completely free, welcoming all members of the public.
Attendees can expect a dazzling display of jewelry, mineral specimens, fossils, polished stones, geodes, and crystals, as shared by club member Dennis Kossow. This year, the club is introducing an exciting new activity for children: a fossil dig in a sand-filled kiddie pool, as highlighted by club member Mike Messer.
Messer expressed his enthusiasm for the event, emphasizing its role in fostering community connections and complementing the club’s year-round programs. “Just this year, I’ve done presentations for over 400 kids in Winfield, Mt. Pleasant, Salem, and New London,” he shared. “Boy Scouts and other clubs have invited me to give talks, and we also host geode cracking parties.”
Collectors from across Southeast Iowa are expected to participate, showcasing their unique collections. Among them is Jeff Pohren, originally from Washington, Iowa, who will be traveling from Omaha, Nebraska, to join the festivities. Pohren and Messer’s friendship dates back to their college days at Northeast Missouri State, where they discovered a mutual passion for rock hunting.
Now retired after a 30-year teaching career in Texas, Messer dedicates more time to his rock collection, having embarked on numerous field trips to West Texas and New Mexico. He relishes the opportunity to uncover the diverse types of gems and minerals found worldwide. Pohren, meanwhile, frequently visits Arkansas to hunt for quartz.
“There’s also a lot of stuff that comes from out of the country, places where we’ll never get to collect,” Pohren noted, citing Blue Lace Agate from Namibia as an example.
Both Messer and Pohren enjoy crafting jewelry from their finds, with Pohren handling the initial stages and Messer adding the finishing touches. “You’re not going to make minimum wage selling jewelry like that,” Pohren remarked. “It’s more for the love of the craft and seeing what you can create out of it,” Messer added.
