WELCOME TO THE GITCHE GUMEE MUSEUM WEB PAGE!
July 2009
As usual for this time of year, I have been very busy making changes to the museum and expanding the programs. Although it was a tough decision, I finally dismantled the display of Axel’s numbered agates. As some of you know, he started collecting agates when he was 5 years old. He hand numbered them, and kept a journal explaining not only where he found the rocks, but also what he discovered or speculated about how they were formed. We know that at one point there was an intact journal of the more than 1,000 numbered specimens. Before he passed away, his relatives let me search his house in Ontonagon, where he lived the last 20 years of his life. But to no avail, the journal was never found. I do have miscellaneous pages of the draft journal. However, the rocks are not in order and most of the pages were hand written and are impossible to read.
So at least for now, I made the decision to reorganize some of these agates. On the right side of the exhibit, I assembled shelves of agate examples with each shelf showing specimens that exhibit a particular agate characteristic. For example, there are shelves that demonstrate agate color, translucency, fracture pattern, pit marked surface, etc. There is also a shelf of agate want-a-bees.
The shelves on the left side of the exhibit include a display about beach rocks. I organized them into the basic categories of rocks: intrusive igneous, extrusive igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
In addition to the gift shop renovations that I described in last month’s web page update (new product display shelves in the center room); I am in the process of finishing a new Wheel of Treasures. I must admit that I “borrowed” the concept from the Cuyuna Rock club in Minnesota. I have mounted a bicycle wheel on a board that is mounted vertically. Customers can spin the wheel for 50 cents and receive the Treasure that corresponds to the number on which the wheel stops. Everyone is a winner and receives a treasure. Should the wheel stop on NUMBER 10, however, you will receive an extraordinary rock or mineral specimen!
The other BIG change I am making this year is that I am launching the Gitche Gumee Summer Lecture Series. Thanks to my friends, Kathy and Steve Correll, we have cleaned out the building behind the museum. Also, thanks to my sister Diana Mavis, I have acquired a power point projector. Beginning on Thursday, July 2nd, I will be available at 6:30pm to give a power point presentation. Those who attend can vote to decide between two talks:
- Understanding and Finding Agates
- Gitche Gumee Geology
The agate talk was already completed, but the Gitche Gumee Geology presentation has taken a lot of time to research and prepare. In the presentation I explain what has happened to create the Lake Superior Basin through all the eons of time. I also explain how and when some of the rocks and minerals in the Lake Superior region formed.
Eventually I will have more presentations from which to choose. I’ll also, on occasion, invite guest speakers to present.
The cost to attend a lecture is on a donation basis. If you attend, you can decide how much you think the presentation is worth. Attendees who donate can pick out one of the museum founder’s rocks. Also, if you choose you can bring your own beverage. Families are welcome. Please note that there are no bathroom facilities on site, but there are some across the street at Woodland Park.
Since we have decorated the “Corral” (named after Kathy and Steve who helped me clean out the building) with artifacts and antiques, I am in the process of acquiring old chairs. I have several and will borrow some from friends to start the season. I’ll also make a few benches. However, if you have some old straight back chairs that you would like to donate for the lecture series, I would appreciate it.
The lecture series will be held each week in July and August on TUESDAY, THURSDAY, and SATURDAY from 6:30pm to approximately 7:30pm, other than the days I am out of town. There will be NO LECTURE on the following dates: July 16 & 18, and August 1, 20, and 21st.
For a fee that will depend on group size, you can also book private showings of the power point presentations. Please email me at karen @ agatelady.com if you would like a quote.
Art and Mineral Show and Agate Talk Schedule
I have updated the schedule below to include not only the art and mineral shows at which I’ll be exhibiting, but I will also be speaking at several meetings. At some of these meetings, I’ll have available for sale a limited amount of product.
July 18-19, 20009 EXHIBIT at Moose Lake, MN Agate Days
Sat 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; Sun 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Moose Lake High School, Moose Lake, MN
More information is available at www.mooselake-mn.com or http://www.agatedays.org/
August 1, 2009 EXHIBIT at Ishpeming Rock and Mineral Club, Ishpeming, MI
Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Ishpeming Elks Club Hall, 597 Lake Shore Drive. The show includes dealers, silent auction, displays, kid’s area, and a Cracker-barrel. Admission is free, as are the door prizes. Field trips are also available on Friday and Sunday, for a small charge. For more information contact Ernest Johnson at 906-228-9422. Information is also available at http://www.dayoopers.com/.
August 7-9, 2009 EXHIBIT at the Grand Marais, MI Music and Art Fesival
Fri – Sun, times and details are available at: http://www.grandmaraismichigan.com/.
August 19, 2009 AGATE TALK at the Paradise Library, Paradise MI
6:30 p.m.
Whitefish Township Community Library, 7247 N. M123. For more information contact: Cindy Bulmer, Director, cbulmer @ eup.k12.mi.us, Phone: (906) 492-3500.
August 21-22, 2009 AGATE CLASS at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Paradise MI
Details are still being arranged. Tentatively, I may exhibit mineral art on Friday, August 21st and conduct one or more sessions of the rockhounding and agate class on Saturday, August 22nd. There will be a charge for the class. People are encouraged to register for the class in advance. Once information is available, it will be posted on this web page as well as on http://www.shipwreckmuseum.com/ or call them at 888-492-3747.
September 19, 2009 EXHIBIT and AGATE TALK at Muskellunge State Park, Deer Park, MI
Details to be announced.
The second annual agate festival will take place at Muskellunge, located 20 miles east of Grand Marais. I will have my agate booth and will also conduct my agate class. For more information, contact the state park at 906-658-3338. The park is situated between the shores of Muskellunge Lake and Lake Superior. Either take H58 east from Grand Marais, and turn left on county Road 407, or take M-123 north of Newberry four miles to County Road 407. Follow 407 West 24 miles.
October 3-4, 2009 EXHIBIT at the Eagle River, WI Cranberry Festival
Sat 9:00am to 4:00 pm; Sunday 9:00am to 3:00pm
Vilas County Fairgrounds - Hwy 70 W More information is available at www.eagleriver.org/CranberryFest.asp.
October 13, 2009 AGATE TALK at the Sault Naturalists, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
6:30 p.m. Great Lakes Forestry Center, 1219 Queen Street East
Details are still being arranged. As the time draws nearer, for more information, contact them at: http://soonats.pbwiki.com/.
October 23-25, 2009 EXHIBIT at the 43rd Annual Central Michigan Gem, Mineral, Fossil, Lapidary, and Jewelry Show
Friday 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Main Arena, Ingham County Fairgrounds, 700 E Ash St., Mason MI. For more information, contact them at www.michrocks.org/ , 517-641-6125, facetman60 @ yahoo.com.
November 14, 2009 EXHIBIT at the 24th Annual Saline, MI Craft Show
Sat 8:00 am – 3:30 pm
Saline Middle School, 7190 N Maple, Saline, MI More information is available at www.salineshows.com.
November 21, 2009 EXHIBIT at the Schoolhouse Arts & Crafts Show, East Grand Rapids, MI
Saturday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
East Grand Rapids High School, 2211 Lake Drive SE. For more information please call 616-235-7555 or email schoolhouse @ egrps.org.
December 4-6, 2009 EXHIBIT at the WLUC-TV6 Christmas Craft Show Marquette, MI
Fri 5:00 – 9:00 pm; Sat 10:00 am – 6:00 pm; Sun 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Northern Michigan University Superior Dome, 1401 Presque Isle Ave, Marquette, MI More information is available at http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/.
I hope that everyone enjoys the spring!
Karen BrzysGitche Gumee Museum
E21739 Brazel Street, PO Box 308
Grand Marais, MI 49839
kbrzys @ jamadots.com or karen @ agatelady.com
906-494-2590 (rings at museum and at home)
906-450-5033 (cell phone -- not always turned on)
March 2009 Update
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Mineral of the Month Obsidian Needles |
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History’s Gem of the Month Picture of original museum |
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Gitche Gumee Gatherings Information about scheduling private, in-home private art shows |
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Rockhounding and Adventure Trip Grand Canyon |
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Media Coverage Great Lakes Gazette |
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Correspondence Testimonial from a Mineral Art customer |
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Copyright All rights reserved.
Gitche Gumee Museum.
E21739 Brazel Street
Grand Marais, Michigan 49839
