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On the first Tuesday following the annual Shell Show the club holds its shell hunt and picnic on the beach. At 7 a.m. the first of the shell hunters arrive and by 10:00 a.m. they sort their finds in preparation for the judging. Experienced members serve as judges for the categories of shells and sea life included in the contest. In a past hunt a wentletrap was the smallest miniature and a slipper shell was the smallest regular shell. One diligent member found the largest number of species and the largest number of nutmegs. The most unusual form of sea life was a bryazoan, the best albino was a trivia, the rarest miniature was an Atlantic nut clam and a horn shell was the mystery shell winner. One member retrieved the greatest number of augers and the largest number of bubbles. Another member found the largest number of jingles, the largest number of kitten paws plus the largest number of buttercups. The prettiest regular shell was an alphabet cone and the rarest regular shell was a sulcate natica. The largest miniature shell was a sharp ribbed drill. A Turitella and a soft coral were also among the finds of the day. The winners were awarded a shell craft critter or an arrangement made at the club's workshops. Many of the shells collected were donated to the club to be turned into future shell craft and some of the unusual ones will undoubtedly turn up in the scientific exhibits. After the winners receive their awards, a buffet of various homemade dishes and fried chicken from the local supermarket is set out. Then at 11:30 a.m. the hungry shellers and their guests enjoy the meal and company of each other. |
