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A sign recognizing the rock learning circle at Police Point Park will be unveiled at a ceremony on Thursday.
At Police Point on Thursday at 4 p.m. will be the unveiling of the Rock Learning Circle Sign. The Rock Learning Circle is located a short distance from the Interpretive Centre.
Discussions about the rock circle began in 2007 but it took until 2012 for the rocks to finally be laid and another 10 years, due to several obstacles, for the sign to be ready for unveiling.
“We are excited to have a sign up to recognize, not only the club, but also LMT Enterprises Ltd., who donated the rocks,” said Karen-Anne Cherwonogrodzky, Alberta Federation of Rock Clubs director.
At the unveiling a history of the club will be presented followed by a history of the rock circle and how it came to be. Lifetime club members, Manfred Sievert and Slim Metz, will be called upon to unveil the sign.
Drake Meili from the Interpretive Centre will explain how the rock circle is used for educational programming. The Interpretive Centre has put together a pamphlet on some of the rocks, which is available to those interested. There will also be a pamphlet on the club to explain what they do and how to become a member. In addition, various items that have been made in the club will be on display.
Cherwonogrodzky got involved with the Medicine Hat Rock and Lapidary Club about 20 years ago when she started taking her daughter to a Pebble Pubs Group, which doesn’t exist anymore, and met her current husband, who was the instructor. She learned about lapidary – the cutting, shaping and polishing of rocks to make jewellery or rock ornaments – and became a club member back in 2005-2006.
All rock clubs in Alberta have directors who meet with the Alberta Federation of Rock Clubs and right now Karen-Anne and her husband are both directors representing the Medicine Hat Rock and Lapidary Club. A few years ago, Medicine Hat hosted the AFRC May Daze when all the rock clubs in Alberta get together for field trips, displays and auctions, which is where many members get their supplies.
Next year, the event will be held in Lethbridge and in a few years it will be back in Medicine Hat.
“It is always an exciting time when all the rock and lapidary people in the province get together,” said Cherwonogrodzky.
