Have the winning grand prize ticket at next weekend's Baton Rouge Gem and Mineral Society show and you'll take home this trio — a citrine cathedral, amethyst cathedral and amethyst polished slices. Ask Wanda Gawarecki how she became a rock hound and you might expect to hear how she was first impressed by the objects' beauty, how the more she learned about these treasures, the more she was interested. The Ethel mother of three sons, however, will give you an even more basic response.
"From our boys picking up rocks and putting them in their pockets," she says with a chuckle. Vendors from Louisiana and Texas stock vintage jewelry, various minerals, geodes, fossils, rock slabs for people who make jewelry, mammoth mineral rocks, cut gems and more. Yes, it's a family hobby for the Gawareckis, with dad Glenn, also joining in the fun.
When the family met jeweler Jack Hood, a charter member of the , he suggested they check out the club, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year and coincidentally has about 60 members. The Gawareckis have now been involved in the BRGMS for 15 years, and Wanda Gawarecki has chaired the society's annual show since 2016. She's getting her rocks in a row now, so to speak, for the 2024 event Saturday-Sunday at the .
At least one metalsmith vendor finds, polishes and cuts her own specimens, incorporating them into her stunning jewelry. "I truly enjoy planning this event. It's very much a family affair.
Several families that are in our club help work the show," she says. "And then when our vendors come in, we have several that are from Texas and Louisiana. We only get to see at that time of the year.
So it's like a family reunion within our club and within our vendors. And then it's fun just having so many people come out to the show." Last year's show drew around 1,500 visitors over the two days, a big success, the show chair says.
But she always has her eye on breaking the 2,000 mark. Wanda Gawarecki Inside Lamar-Dixon's Trademart, here's some of what's in store for showgoers: Peruse the many choices available from around 18 show vendors. 'I like the sparkly, pretty ones,' says show chair Wanda Gawarecki.
"It's a great family event," Gawarecki says. "It's stroller-friendly, kid-friendly. It's a great show to come and just spend with the family.
" 10 a.m.-5 p.
m. Saturday-Sunday Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, 9039 S. St.
Landry Ave., Gonzales $5, adults; $3, children 5-12; free, military with ID; Scouts in uniform, $1 off..
