Sharks, shells and coastal stories highlight August sandbar lecture series
OCEAN ISLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Sharks, seashells, coastal literature and local history will take center stage during the Museum of Coastal Carolina’s August Sandbar Lecture Series, offering weekly presentations by authors, researchers and wildlife experts.
The free one-hour lectures, held each Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., are included with museum admission and are designed to explore the history, ecology and culture of North Carolina’s coast through interactive presentations.
The series begins Aug. 4 with “Sharks!”, featuring educators from Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach. Visitors will have the opportunity to examine real shark jaws, learn about shark biology and marine ecosystems, and participate in a question-and-answer session.
On Aug. 11, seven regional authors will discuss the creation of “Carolina Tides,” a collaborative collection of short stories inspired by the history, folklore and natural beauty of the Carolina coast. Authors Jennifer E. Tirrell, Teri M. Brown, Lynda Stoy Stear, Jan Comfort, Karen W. Prescott, Lisa M. Pritchard and Carol Stigger will share how the anthology evolved from concept to publication, the challenges of writing collaboratively and how the project supports women in need in Brunswick and Horry counties. Books by the participating authors will be available for purchase before and after the program.
The Aug. 18 lecture, “Shell Hunting Strategy,” will feature nationally recognized shell hunter and author Dr. Ashley Oliphant. Oliphant will discuss how factors including tides, winds, moon phases, currents and seasons affect beachcombing success while offering recommendations for shell-hunting locations along the coast. She will also answer audience questions and sign copies of her newest book, The Ultimate Shell Seeker’s Guide: Building a Better Beachcombing Strategy.
A retired professor of English, Oliphant has authored seven books, including Shark Tooth Hunting on the Carolina Coast, a field guide to fossil shark teeth found in the Carolinas that has sold more than 20,000 copies.
The series concludes Aug. 25 with “The Life and Times of Crazy Dale Varnam,” a lecture rescheduled from July 14. Author Lynn Cook Betz will discuss her book My Right Hand To Goodness: The Life and Times of Crazy Dale Varnam, which chronicles the colorful history of Varnamtown, North Carolina, and explores how the small fishing community became linked to one of the busiest illegal drug trafficking routes on the East Coast.
Betz, who holds degrees in sociology-anthropology and social work, previously worked in hospital social work and administration before becoming an entrepreneur and author.
The Sandbar Lecture Series is included with museum admission, which is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for children ages 3 to 12.
