If you are reading this...

Chair Column Gina Malczewski, Chair, Midland Section ACS

George Bernard Shaw once said, "The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place."  Every month Steve and/or Vickie (thank you both!) spend valuable time and effort putting together a great tool--this newsletter.  And yet, as has been shown time and again in meetings large and small, not many are staying current by reading it. 

So, if you are reading this...wonderful!  Keep it up!  If you have just happened to catch this issue, please make it a habit.  If you know someone who doesn't read this, tell them to START HERE-this is where you can get accurate information about what's happening and what's not.  And if you know someone who isn't RECEIVING this due to a bad email or other issue, please have them get in touch with us. 

To those non-members who are among our readers, we welcome you and hope you continue to participate in our activities.  

...and to all readers of this issue, happy holidays and best wishes for the future.  As I leave my post as Chair, I look back at a busy and challenging year, and hope you can remember something that was done that made you proud, something that educated you, or something that encouraged you to participate.  I look ahead to lots of work as I continue in Outreach and work on preparations for our centennial in 2019.  Thanks also to all the Board and committee chairs/members who have worked hard at the varied and numerous things we do. 

Please stay informed--knowledgeable and involved members and partners are our greatest assets.

The Circle That's Not Necessarily Silver

Chair Column, Gina Malczewski, Chair, Midland Section ACS

Our senior chemists (ACS Silver Circle) group is up and running – only it doesn't have to be just for seniors, and there are other minerals in the mix besides silver. Yes, we received a grant from the National ACS to start a group focused on the interests of "experienced" ACS members, but EVERYONE is invited to the upcoming kickoff event on Thursday, November 12 at 11:30 AM-12:45 PM at Creative 360 (1517 Bayliss Street, Midland) for a FREE LUNCH, to hear some speakers addressing ways to tap into this experience pool and utilize its members available free time, and a discussion about potential future group activities. As this volunteer group gets going, future programs will also likely be open to those of any age.


Mentoring and networking sessions (like the one being offered at CMU on November 13, see related article on p. 3 and information flyer on p. 4) are among the suggested activities for this group. Classes or field trips or neighborhood projects might also be of interest – as well as involvement in the upcoming 2019 Midland Section ACS centennial efforts. That year we will celebrate the GOLDEN anniversary of Central Regional Meetings, the DIAMOND jubilee of the first fully integrated polycrystalline silicon plant (established by Dow Corning in Hemlock), and the PLATINUM anniversary of the first introduction of Saran Wrap by Dow Chemical. We are all part of a rich history!

So join us at the kickoff event of our Silver Circle group on November 12, and help us consider new ways to celebrate each other and the ageless pursuit of chemistry. For more information or questions about the new Silver Circle group, please contact Gretchen Kohl at gretchen.kohl@att.net.

Welcome to the new website of the Midland Section of the American Chemical Society

The Midland Section ACS website has been updated.  Please take a look around the site and feel free to contact the webmaster with any comments or suggestions.

www.midlandacs.org