Category: Coming Events

SHELLERS’ JAMBOREE

About the Shellers’ Jamboree

Your hosts—Suncoast Conchologists

Saturday and Sunday, May 26-27, 2012: Jamboree BEACH—the Best Escape Anyone Can Have!

So what do you do at a Shellers’ Jamboree? We’ll be enjoying the weekend, meeting and greeting old and new shelling friends at the recently renovated Minnreg Hall in Largo. On Saturday morning, our Beachcombers’ Bazaar (Shellers’ Flea Market) is the time for shellers to sell items of interest to fellow shell enthusiasts. For a nominal fee, you can use an 8-foot table to sell your extra shells or any shell-related items—crafts,clothing, books—whatever. Or simply take it easy and be a browser or buyer! The first Silent Auction will be buzzing all morning. There will also be time for Shell ID and Measuring—any new records out there? Programs will be planned after the Barefoot Deli Buffet as well as another Silent Auction. You won’t want to miss “Shore is Fun!” Happy Hour, before the Beach Ball Buffet, followed by Saturday evening’s program.

Sunday morning you can enter the Shell Show and Art and Craft Show which will be judged by experienced shellers. You may cast your own votes for the Shellers’ Choice Awards. As the day progresses, there will be another silent auction, programs, a verbal auction, our Sunny Day Bar-B-Q, as well as presentation of the show awards. We’ll say good-bye to everyone at that evening’s Sunset Banquet.

Do you have any snail figurines? You’ll be able to show them off on Sunday in our famous and fun Snail Parade. You may enter as many snails as you like. All Jamboree attendees will be the judges this time—everyone will vote for his/her favorite snail in each of the five categories.

We are in need of shells and shell-related items to use for the Jamboree Silent and Verbal Auctions. If you have any shells or related items you would like to contribute, mail your donations to Sharlene Totten, 2252 Springflower Drive, Clearwater, FL 33763.

This is truly a wonderful event and if you have never attended before we encourage you to do so.

All info and forms may be downloaded at http://www.suncoastconchologists.org E-Mail Jamboree2012@aol.com for any questions.

EVERGLADES RESTORATION TOUR

On Friday, March 23 the Everglades Restoration foundation presents the Everglades Restoration Tour: Shark Valley and the River of Grass.  Shark Valley is the northernmost entrance to Everglades National Park and lies at the heart of this historic ecosystem. Join the foundation at 9:00 to depart from Miami to Shark Valley, where you will travel by tram throughout the park. There will be several scenic and educational stops along the way, including the observation tower which offers a spectacular overlook of the Everglades. After the tour of Shark Valley, the group will stop for lunch before departing on airboats to ride across the River of Grass. Cost is $50.00 per person and included tram tour, airboat fare and a boxes lunch. Space is limited.

Contact Brittnie Bassat at bbassant@evergladesfoundation.org or 305-251-0001

UPCOMING SHELL SHOWS

SARASOTA SHELL SHOW
The Sarasota Shell Show will be held Feb. 17-19 at the Manatee County Convention Center in Palmetto. This was a new venue for us last year and proved to be a great place for a show. Setup is Friday Feb 17 in the morning, and we are open to the public in the afternoon until 5:00, when judging will commence.

If you need a place to stay we may be able to find you one with one of our members, or there are several hotels near I75 and on the road to the Convention Center you may choose from.

Rules and entry forms are available on the clubs web.

http://www.sarasotashellclub.com

Peggy Williams, Scientific chairman

SANIBEL SHELL SHOW

Just wanted to let you all know that the 2012 Rules, Entry Forms, and all information about the 75th Sanibel Shell Show are now ready and available on our web site which is: Sanibelcaptivashellclub.com

Our show is celebrating this major milestone, and we would love for you all to come see what makes our show so great. Plan your vacation for March 1 ,2, and 3, 2012 and come join in our festivities.

Look forward to seeing you all there. Anne Joffe, Show Chair.

<http://sanibelcaptivashellclub.com/SanCap_shellshow.html>.

MARCO ISLAND SHELL SHOW

2012 Marco Island Shell Show – March 8, 9, 10, 2012 – Times: 10:00 – 4:00 p.m.
United Church of Marco
320 N. Barfield Dr.
Marco Island, FL 34145

Show Entry Forms on Website – www.marcoshellclub.com

PHILADELPHIA SHELL CLUB SHOW

Only two weeks have passed and already forlorn souls are casting sidelong glances at their 2012 calendars. “When”, they say, “when oh when will the next Philadelphia Shell Show be? Our lives are a meaningless travesty without it”. Well, now it can be told – the 2012 show will be on October 20 and 21, 2012. Prime red-leaf season here in America’s finest city, and nicely timed for all your seasonal shopping. More news to come, but for now mark your calendars and get busy on baroque new exhibits that will stagger humanity.

Paul Callomon Chairman, 2012 Philadelphia Shell Show

ASTRONAUT TRAIL SHELL CLUB SHOW

Now that the North Carolina and Philadelphia Shell Shows are pleasant memories, we look forward to the first U.S. show of the 2012 year.  The Astronaut Trail Shell Club invites you to participate in our 32nd annual shell Festival themed “Shelling Memories” Saturday and Sunday, January 14-15, 2012.  Set up and judging on lucky Friday, January 13th.

The location is the Melbourne Auditorium, 625 E.  Hibiscus Ave, Melbourne, FL, which is a large and well lit facility.  We have one of the largest number of shell dealer and shell related products of any U.S. club shell show.

We offer the Conchologists of America (COA), DuPont, and Masters Trophies. Also an award in memory for our long time resident and member Dr. R. Tucker will be presented. We also have club trophies including  the Abbott for self collected; Fossil Trophy; Junior Trophy; Shell of Show; Self Collected Shell of Show; Florida Self-Collected Shell of Show; and many specialized artistic awards including a Premium Arts and Craft Trophy for exhibits that have already won a major award.

An awards banquet and program will be on Friday evening, January 13 (details to be provided later). There are several recommended hotels close by and many, many restaurants including a “Shells”. So for those up north, plan to spend part of January away from the snow and enjoy the Space Coast of Florida.

Please contact me for any questions at lychee@cfl.rr.com or (321) 536-2896.

Entry forms, rules are also available on our website:

http://home.netcom.com/~ejpower/ruleindex.html.  Information will be sent to the Florida shell clubs for which I had addresses.

Alan Gettleman, Show Chairman

HOLIDAY PARTY – ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

Yes, it actually that time of year again. And the date will be our regular December meeting date which is December 14th.  The Fishers had a sign-up sheet at the November meeting so you can let the committee know which of your delicious recipes you will honor us with.  We do ask two things of you:  when you bring your dish PLEASE bring a serving utensil for it, and if you are bringing an appetizer be there by 6:00 PM.  If you were unable to attend the November meeting and have not been called by the Committee, please call the Fishers at 561-306-4998 or email them at tonifisher2004@yahoo.com. The club will supply the meat as usual.  Also we will have the fun part – the gift exchange / Chinese auction.  Please keep the value of your gift from between $15 – $20 and DO NOT WRAP THEM.  Place them in a gift bag which you can cover over with tissue of a single piece of tape.  This will greatly speed up the “process”. Shells and shell related items are what the items should be, although bottled beverages are acceptable.  Basic rule:  bring something that YOU would like if you won it.  This is and always has been one of the best ways to get to know your fellow members so everyone is encouraged to attend…..you would be foolish not to!