Let me start by telling you a little about the William Holland School of Lapidary Arts. While my father (Harold C. Sparks) served as the 8th president of the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies in 1983, my parents discovered that there were not any schools where you could go to learn the lapidary arts, only workshops a few times year.

  So they set out to find a mountain top retreat where such a school could be built, where strangers from all states and other countries could come together to learn in a peaceful atmosphere and to share with one another. They found this in Young Harris, Georgia. Harold & Mary Lou Sparks, with the help of a lot of rockhounds, members of rock clubs who donated their time, talents and money, they were able to bring about what we have today. Many would stop by to check on the progress of things and my father would put them right to work. "Have you ever installed insulation?" he asked one lady and the next thing she knew she was putting insulation in the walls. One couple came for the day and spent the week, calling home each night to say it would be another day before they would be home. Please feed the dog. All became one big family and there were many around the dinner table each night.

  Today we have the Sparks Lodge, named after my father, with 29 bedrooms and private baths on the upper level, 13 classrooms on the lower level with a large dining room and kitchen. The classrooms and Dining Room are now air-conditioned! Across from the lodge is the Seabolt Building that houses the campground facilities, lounge and the George Kasper Memorial Library. The campground has 11 spaces with full hookups. On September 1, 2001, we opened Mary Lou's Cottage, which is used by the instructors. There are 8 bedrooms, a kitchen and common area. On July 30, 2005, we dedicated Otto’s Lodge, which adds 23 bedrooms.

  When it came time to choose a name for the new school, my father chose William Holland who was the 3rd President of the SFMS and the only deceased president at the time. Classes were started in the basement of my parents’ home until the lodge was ready. The first classes in the new lodge were held in the spring of 1986.

  The school will operate from Sunday April 20th, through November 8th this year. At the current time we lease the facilities to the SFMS for two weeks a year and the remaining 27 weeks of the season are open to anyone interested in the lapidary arts. It is not necessary to belong to a rock club or even be a rockhound but it helps being one. This is a school for the hobbyist.

  All of our instructors are volunteers. They sell the supplies needed by students in the class they are teaching, which helps them meet some of their expenses. The instructors and their spouses get their room and board. We have some great instructors for the different classes.

  The week is busy with check-in starting on Sunday afternoon starting at 3:00 pm. Supper is at 6:00 pm. After a supper of roast beef, there are introductions and the classes meet for a short time. Classes start at am Monday. Tuesday night we have an auction, with donated items by students and instructors. The money raised is used in the classrooms for equipment and supplies. It's a fun time for all. Wednesday, most take the afternoon off for sight seeing and field trips to some mine or a good digging place that someone might know about. Thursday night is tailgating, where everyone can sell whatever. We have had a little of everything put out on Thursday evening. By Saturday morning everyone wants to stay for another week, some have already made plans for next year to join their new friends. Come join us.

  For the cost per person per week including room and meals, see application. Classes are of one-week duration. You are in the same class all week. The campground has full hookups with a shower room in the Seabolt Building.

               Suzanne

NO PETS ARE ALLOWED EXCEPT IN THE CAMPGROUND