What began in 1969 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.