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Betty Sheffler Day
A Very Special Event
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On September 20, 1997, geode lovers and rockhounds from Midwest rock clubs will join together to honor Betty Sheffler, a remarkable woman and rockhound role model, who has been a source of inspiration, information, and enjoyment to rockhounds not only in
the Midwest but truly all over the world.
This fun-filled event will include geode hunting at the Sheffler Geode Mine in Alexandria, Missouri, a get-together social time for lunch, a tailgate-swap, a geode opening party, a best geode contest, and an evening dinner.
In addition, the Mayor of Keokuk, Iowa will proclaim Saturday, September 20th as "Betty Sheffler Day," event t-shirts will be available for purchase at "rock-bottom" prices, and a celebrity appearance will be
made by Mark Bortz, rockhound and former Chicago Bear at the dinner in the evening. Coverage of the event will be in national publications, including Rock and Mineral Magazine and Rock and Gem Magazine.
The following is an outline of planned events scheduled for "Betty Sheffler Day," September 20, 1997, to take place in Alexandria, Missouri (during the day) and Keokuk, Iowa (evening dinner).
THE "BETTY SHEFFLER DAY" CELEBRATION
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th, 1997
PURPOSE: The purpose of this event is to celebrate Betty Sheffler and her beautiful Keokuk geodes. Betty's enthusiasm, wit, and friendliness over the years has inspired many to
become avid geode hunters and full fledged rockhounds. People are invited to come and express their appreciation to Betty Sheffler for her contribution to rockhounding as owner of the Sheffler Geode Mine, Alexandria, Missouri and share a geode
hunting experience for a day with others.
GEODE HUNTING AT THE SHEFFLER MINE:
9/19/97, 9/20/97 or 9/21/97
The Sheffler Geode mine (check in at the Rock Shop) will be open at 7 a.m. Collecting at Sheffler's will be limited. A reservation must be made for collecting on either Friday, September 19 / Saturday, September 20th / or Sunday, September 21st.
Reservations will be taken on a first-come basis. Geode mine fees are $10 per person for 50 pounds, overrun is 50 cents per pound. Experienced geode finders will be on-site to offer collecting instructions/advice for any novice collectors.
Those without Sheffler Mine collecting reservations may wish to hunt at Geode Hollow Mine which is the site of the former St. Francisville mine (fee: $20 for 50 pounds) (located about 10 miles north of Sheffler's mine) or legal streambed sites.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 20 "BETTY SHEFFLER DAY"
LUNCH: 12:30 p.m.
Collectors at the mine will break for a quick bring-your-own lunch/social time at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
TAILGATE SWAP AND GEODE OPENING: 5:00 p.m.
A tailgate swap will be held at 5:00 p.m. on the rock shop grounds. Anyone wishing to swap any kind of geological material is invited to participate. Geode opening techniques and tools will be demonstrated in conjunction with the tailgate swap.
DINNER BANQUET: 8:15 p.m.
Casual dress. Sirloin Stockade Restaurant, 3461 Main St., Keokuk, IA, 319-524-5283. Participants will select and pay for their own food plus a mandatory 15% tip for the large number of people. Anyone who can say a few words at the dinner about Betty or
her mine/geodes is encouraged to do so. If you would
be willing to say a few words at the dinner, please notify the reservation person named below. Everyone will appreciate your participation.
BEST GEODE CONTEST:
Participants are invited to bring (or plan on finding that day) your best Sheffler geode to be used for display. The contest winner will receive a free t-shirt.
MEET MARK BORTZ:
Rockhound and former Chicago Bears football star will participate and say a few words.
MAYOR'S PROCLAMATION:
Gary Fulluo, Mayor of Keokuk, has proclaimed September 20th as "Betty Sheffler Day."
JUNE CULP ZEITNER:
A certificate of appreciation from June Culp Zeitner, friend and rockhound author of the Gem Trails Series of books will be presented to Betty at the dinner.
CELEBRATION CERTIFICATE:
A Sheffler Day Celebration Certificate, honoring Betty, will be signed by everyone in attendance, and presented to Betty at the dinner.
HONORARY CLUB MEMBERSHIP:
Rock clubs are invited to make Betty Sheffler an Honorary Member of their club. Certificates will be prepared for any club desiring to do this at no charge. Any rock club who would like to have a certificate prepared for them to be presented at the
dinner by rock club personnel or others (in their absence) should contact the reservation person named below.
LETTERS TO BETTY:
Rockhounds unable to attend are invited to participate by writing a letter to Betty. Letters should be sent to the address below and will be read or given to Betty at the dinner.
T-SHIRTS:
T-shirts celebrating the event will be available for purchase at "rock-bottom" prices.
MOTEL AND CAMPING INFORMATION
(Note: make reservations early. Other activities that weekend may fill area motels.)
MOTEL/HOTEL RESERVATIONS: (make your own reservations)
A block of rooms are reserved at:
1- The Chief Motel. Rates are $27.00 for a single, $33.00 for a double, $3 for extra person in the room. Call 800-728-0599 to reserve your own room. Ask for "Betty Sheffler Day" block of rooms.
2- The Econolodge (formerly the Keokuk Motor Lodge). Rates are $34.99 for a single; $39.99 (2 people 1 bed) or $49.99 (2 people 2 beds), $5 per extra person. Call 800-252-2256 to reserve your own room. Ask for "Betty Sheffler Day" block of rooms.
The block of rooms at the above motels will be held until August 23rd. Rates do not include tax.
Other accommodations include:
3- The Super 8, Keokuk, at 800-800-8000, single:$43.98, double: $52.98
4- The Fairfield Inn, Keokuk, at 800-228-2800, single: $57, double: same, $57
CAMPING:
New Life Campground and Retreat Center 816-727-3769
Route 3, Box 65, Kahoka, MO 63445 (full hook-ups, electricity, showers, laundry, indoor showers, 6 miles from Sheffler Geode Mine.)
Hickory Haven Campground: (800) 890-8459
(full hook-ups, including electricity, showers, swimming, fishing, lake, pool, store)
Sugar Valley Campground: (319) 524-2019
(full hook-ups, store, pool, showers, electricity)
Wildcat Springs Park Campground, Hamilton, Illinois
Park District: 217-847-3944; City of Hamilton: 217-847-2936 (electric, showers, geode hunting stream)
FUNDING, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INFO
FUNDING:
The planners of the event ask for a suggested contribution of $5.00 per family, couples, or individual attendees to cover administration expenses. Please remit this amount before the
event to the person listed below or at the event.
FYI:
Keokuk Area Convention & Tourism Bureau
401 Main Street, Keokuk, IA 52632
319-524-5055 1-800-383-1219 toll-free 319-524-5016 fax.
*******EVENT RESERVATIONS:*******
RESERVATIONS/ CONTACT PERSON:
Please make your reservation to Elizabeth "Boo" Commean, ASAP,
-- via email at Bettycom@aol.com
(PLEASE include "Sheffler Reservations" in your subject line.)
-- or to 624 Terra West Drive, Freeport, IL. 61032.
--or phone at 815-233-5139. (Calls are welcome.)
INDICATE:
-- your preferred collecting day (Friday, Saturday or Sunday)
-- number of people collecting
-- number of people for celebration dinner banquet reservations
-- reserve your certificate to make Betty an honorary member of your club
(include name and location of club)
YOU MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
-- Your name:
-- Address:
-- Daytime phone:
-- Evening phone:
-- Email address: (optional)
Thank you for helping to celebrate this very special woman.
This non-commerical event is being coordinated by members from the following rock/geological clubs:
Northwest Illinois Rock Club, Freeport, Illinois; Badger Lapidary & Geological Society, Monroe, WI; Blackhawk Gem and Mineral Club, Rock Island, Illinois; Lincoln Orbit Earth Science Club, Springfield, Illinois; Madison Lapidary and Mineral Club, Madison,
WI; Cedar Valley Rocks and Minerals Society, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Rock River Valley Gem and Mineral Club, Rockford, IL., because we all love Betty Sheffler.
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Copyright, 1997
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