WALDORF, Md. — For Kenny Jameson, a love of rocks has become about more than collecting. It has brought friendship, community and a source of strength during one of the most difficult periods of his life.
Local Southern Maryland Rock and Mineral Club Chairman Kenny Jameson took over putting together the Annual Southern Maryland Rock, Mineral and Fossil Show in 2024. This year, it will once again be held at the Old Waldorf School, on Crain Highway just next to the Jaycees Hall in Waldorf, for its 30th year. Vendor tables are still available.
It’s scheduled for Oct. 3, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults. Children 12 and under are free with a guardian.
The Southern Maryland Rock and Mineral Club was formed in 1989 at the Clearwater Nature Center in Cosca Regional Park, according to its website. The club partnered with the Eastern Federation of Mineral and Lapidary Societies in 1990.
For 25 years, the club held rock and mineral shows, including large shows at the Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro.
“It was definitely stressful that first year but also rewarding in some ways,” Jameson told The BayNet. “I met people that enjoyed tumbling as much as I did. Our membership is now near 100 and it’s continuing to grow.”
Jameson said things had been set in motion since he was a young child.
“There were things that lined up,” Jameson said. “My family tells me I’m in an arranged marriage, that things were already lining up for my wife and me to be together when we were young.”
“Her mother also runs the Old Waldorf School and she came to me and told me that they had a rock club.”
Jameson looked into it and knew that’s where he needed to be.
Sometimes a need for divine healing leads to a new passion, a new perspective and a change in thought process.
The same year Jameson took over putting together the annual show, he received a life-altering diagnosis.
Jameson said his main goal is to share his journey after receiving the report that he had a tumor in his tonsils as a result of HPV, human papillomavirus, a common viral infection.
He’s now in lung cancer remission and said he feels blessed for every day and all the side effects that he did not get.
Hosting the event and following up with preparing a family reunion that same month may have kept his mind off his physical pain for the time being, but Jameson said he really couldn’t have gotten through without his faith, his wife, Paula, and his family and friends.
“I took comfort in knowing that my wife was there every step of the way,” Jameson said. “She would remind me that no matter what happened, she would be there for me. She was like a batter in baseball just knocking the ball left and right to outer field.”
“There’s something about connecting with nature as a way of reconnecting with God, a higher power or what that is to you,” Jameson said. “Sometimes my wife goes out with me to search for rocks. Sometimes I’ll pick up a rock and throw it and comment that it’s junk. She will say, ‘God made each rock unique and if he made it, he didn’t make junk.’”
Jameson, an entrepreneur, had to re-evaluate and determine the right path for himself. Jameson had smoked for over 30 years and knew it was damaging to his body.
“I quit right away,” Jameson said, “and I didn’t want to quit. I enjoyed smoking but I had to make the better decision. I had so much support from everybody around me, truly. Total strangers were encouraging to me. They would contact me just to check up on me. I’m appreciative of everyone that came around to support my process.”
Through his follow-ups and continued physical therapy, he still makes time to attend the Southern Maryland Rock and Mineral Club meetings.
The younger generation is discovering this unique hobby, Jameson stated.
“Our club is growing,” Jameson said. “Our youth are more interested in earth sciences and geology. My nephew enjoys coming to the shows with me and sharing about the stones. He is picking it up very quickly.”
Jameson is continuing to educate the public about the unique Chesapeake Bay Stone, which is one most Marylanders aren’t aware of. He would like to partner with homeschooling groups and St. Mary’s City as well. He enjoys talking about his unique journey.
“There is also a big draw to mining in outer space,” Jameson stated. “It’s the way of the future.”
On Oct. 3, 2026, at the Old Waldorf School, free rocks will be given out to all kids and free door prizes will be given out every 30 minutes.
With the holidays just around the corner, more than 45 tables will feature unique gifts and items, including polished stones, rock slabs, rocks, crystals, fossils, handcrafted jewelry, lapidary rocks and a fluorescent tent featuring glow-in-the-dark rocks.
For vendor applications or to connect with the group, visit www.smrmc.org
Physically, Jameson is taking things easier these days. He just took his first kayak excursion in a very long time. He will continue with testing, physical therapy and dental procedures that have resulted as a side effect of the radiation. He checks in with his team of physicians in Baltimore often to monitor his journey.
You can purchase products from his P and K Rocks Etsy Shop.
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