What began in 1970 as a way to gain the interest of Mr. Bidwell's junior high school science class quickly became a Glendora city tradition. The excitement of the children led to the involvement of their parents in rockhounding field trips and an annual Gem and Mineral show. To this day, the Gem Show still occurs in the same gymnasium at Goddard Middle School. Although the class is no longer a part of the curriculum at Goddard, many of Mr. Bidwell's original students still attend weekly lapidary club meetings led by Mr. Bidwell, his wife, Bonnie Bidwell, and other dedicated members of the Glendora Gems.
Since 1968, Mr. Bidwell has been teaching Earth Sciences in the city of Glendora.
His popularity and passion for geology led to a following of students as well as parents for rockhounding field trips and lapidary lessons.
What started as a junior high school elective has grown into a community of generations of hobbyists who meet every week to continue to learn more from Mr. Bidwell.
