Scotch bonnets, the state shell, are prized among members of the N.C. Shell Club. Photo: C. Leinbach

After a two-year hiatus owing to damage from Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the North Carolina Shell Club will return to Ocracoke for its spring meeting March 18 and 19.

While the club visits Ocracoke (and Portsmouth) to beachcomb for shells during the day, club members also bring exotic shells to show and sell during the evening gatherings in the Ocracoke Community Center, 999 Irvin Garrish Hwy, .

Islander Ruth Fordon, who volunteers with the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, will give a talk Friday evening about her work with the sea turtles on Ocracoke.

The meetings are open to the public and folks can join the club at the sign-up table.

The schedule is as follows:

Friday, March 18
6:30 p.m. Registration and Social
7 p.m.  Greetings, Introductions, Announcements, Old Business, Door Prizes
7:15 p.m. Silent Auction
7:30 p.m. Speaker: Sea Turtles by Ruth Fordon
8:15 p.m. Silent Auction
8:30 p.m.  Field Trip Announcements
8:40 p.m.  Silent Auction
9 p.m.  Auction Ends, Check out, Clean up

Saturday, March 19
6:30 p.m.  Registration and Social
7 p.m.  Greetings, Introductions, New Business, Door Prizes
7:15 p.m.  Silent Auction
7:30 p.m.  Speaker- Revision of Hugh Porters North Carolina Sea Shells by Ed Schuller
8:15 p.m. Silent Auction
8:45 p.m. Auction Ends, Check out, Clean up

Whelk on Ocracoke Beach. Photo : P. Vankevich
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