East Texas Quarterly Magazine Summer 2013 | Page 18

Jasper Rocks!
What brings people out from under rocks all over the Charlotte says, then everyone gets in the game.
United States and several foreign countries? Rocks, of
course.
“I began showing my rock food table after I joined
the Jasper club, and since then, several people have
To be more specific, the 19th Pine Country Gem and given me ‘food’ for my table. It would not be what it
Mineral Club’s Rock Show in Jasper, Texas at the Event
Center, 6258 Highway 190. The Center is located
almost 7 miles west of the intersection of 190 and 96
in Jasper. The show is open 9 am to 5 pm Saturday
and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Vendors from all over the world bring literally tons
of material – rocks, gems, jewelry and lapidary
equipment. “Lapidary” refers to a cutter, polisher, or
engraver of precious stones, so lapidary equipment
includes tumble polishers, rock saws, machines to
facet or shape stones, and jewelry making tools and
supplies.
It’s not the largest rock show in Texas, but the Jasper is today if not
show is famous for some remarkable collections like for my friends,”
Charlotte Beebe’s rock food table.
Charlotte said.
Some people hear voices, Charlotte sees things.
Mostly, she sees food items in unlikely places. Along
a creek, she picks up round green pebbles, and before
you know it, they are served up in a fine china bowl
with a pat of “butter” (yellow calcite) on top.
Her rock food obsession began thirty years ago with
a gift of onyx fruit from Mexico. Then in Singapore
she visited a factory that made jade grapes. Both
these early acquisitions are man-made of natural
stones; however, most of Charlotte’s mouth-watering
collection is natural rocks just as they were plucked
from the ground.

Her table has
been to schools,
churches, and
other
rock
shows around
the country.

Another aspect
of the Jasper
show is the
interaction of
club members
with
visitors.
John Nash likes
The banquet table stretches eight feet long. Every to carry around
inch is covered with platters of pork chops, roast beef, tumbled stones
carrots, green beans, squash, potatoes, bacon and in his pocket.
eggs, salads, loaves of bread, beverages, desserts and They
genercandies.
ally have bright
colors and a
Once you are known as a rock food collector, nice polish.

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East Texas Quarterly