GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY GOODNESS

The Lake Havasu Gem & Mineral Society (LHGMS) is one of those fortunate clubs across the country that recently passed the 50-year threshold of servicing its local rockhounding, lapidary, gem and jewelry-loving community. It takes a lot of dedication and commitment by a lot of members and energetic and visionary leadership over many years, to ensure the continuing success of a gem and mineral society.

- HELEN SERRAS-HERMAN

This special anniversary was acknowledged during the LHGMS’ annual show in November of 2019. Joining show attendees, dealers, and society members to celebrate, were dignitaries of Lake Havasu City who presented the society’s leaders with a certificate of appreciation for the valuable role their group serves in the community.

My husband Andrew, and I, were glad to be part of the special event, as we have participated as vendors at the annual Lake Havasu Gem & Mineral Show since 2008. The very first show took place on Nov. 21, 1970, and has occurred continuously since. Also, as part of our attendance at the 2019 show, I was honored to be invited by the society’s current President Barry Bandaruk, to give a lecture during the group’s monthly meeting, which coincided with the set-up of the 2019 show. My presentation was titled “Passion for Opals.” You can read an article based on that presentation in the second issue of Illustrious Opals, available Aug. 31, which is Rock & Gem’s new limited-edition print/digital hybrid series.

LAKE HAVASU CITY

Lake Havasu is a large reservoir formed on the Colorado River by the Parker Dam to the south. The lake took its name in 1939 from the Native American Mojave word for blue, “havasuu.” Lake Havasu City sits on the lake’s eastern shore in Mohave County and is home to about 50,000 residents. The city was established in 1963 after the Missouri-native businessman Robert P. McCulloch (1911-1977) acquired 13,000 acres of federal land.