From the earth and beyond

John Inrig bravely places his arm in the mouth of an Albertosaurus, a bipedal predator at the top of the food chain when it lived in the late cretaceous period, about 70 million years ago. The dinosaur exhibit was from Research Casting International, of Trenton, a company that provides technical services for museums around the world – including fossil restoration, molding, casting and relocation of exhibits.

Visitors who crawled through the ‘Crystal Cave’ collected treasures then learned from club experts about their finds.

Visitors to the Prince Edward County Rock, Gem and Mineral Club’s second annual Rock, Gem and Mineral Show and Sale enjoyed specimens from the earth and beyond.

“This is a unique opportunity to showcase an ever-growing, family-orientated activity in Prince Edward County and is the club’s second annual event,” says John Zandarin, event organizer. “What better venue than the County’s own unique and historic Crystal Palace.”

The show attracted people of all ages who have a desire to enhance their collections or learn more about collecting.  Dealers from across Ontario and Quebec presented fossils, rocks and minerals, lapidary and jewelry art.

Under the theme “From the Earth and Beyond” the dinosaurs returned in a dynamic exhibit and educational session presented by Matt Fair, of Research Castings International, in Trenton. The audience heard how they reconstructed and created dinosaurs for the Royal Ontario Museum and other museums around the world.

Visitors to the show examine fossils.

Children were also invited to crawl through the popular “Crystal Cavern” to collect treasures and learn about their finds from the club member.

 The Prince Edward County Rock, Gem and Mineral Club was founded in 2010 and provides family/group based activities that focus on education and collecting opportunities in the fields of mineralogy and geology.  In addition to affiliating with other clubs in the area, the club is a member of the Central Canadian Federation of Mineralogical Societies.

“There are a great number of collecting sites and interesting geological features in our area which make for a great day out in the open for the whole family,” said Zandarin. “Our club has collected from a number of sites over the past three years, ranging from fossils in Prince Edward County to amethyst in Thunder Bay, and ventured out on field trips from the ROM in Toronto to Research Castings International in Trenton. During the winter months we conduct educational sessions, review safety procedures and visit museums or other places of interest and prepare for collecting opportunities in the spring, summer and fall. Whenever or wherever we go as a group we have fun while learning about the unique world of rocks, gems and minerals.”

For more information about the club, email howhardcanitbe@sympatico.ca or call 613-476-5510.

Organizer John Zandarin and helper for one of the day’s door draws.