Conchologist Melissas also provided the
shell collection at the Johann Fust
Community Library.
"Kathy Futch knew Mrs. Louise duPont
Crowninshield and her family were looking
to clean up their father's shell case, and she
knew I’d be able to take care of his collection
properly, and label everything scientifically,"
he said. "And to my honor, they asked if I
wanted to add some from my world shell
collection to the library display."
That was more than 20 years ago. Since
then, many visitors have enjoyed being able
to go and identify shells found on our
beaches.
Not all shells grow in the ocean, George
added, pointing out that there are many
kinds of snails that grow on the ground and
in trees.
Judy Kauk has been a member of the
Englewood Shell Club for the past 10 years,
a club that currently has more than 150
members. She said the best time to hunt for
shells is in the early morning hours or after
a storm. Judy is also a member of the Boca
Grande Sea Turtle Association, and has spent
many early mornings patrolling and shelling
in her assigned zone at the north end of
Gasparilla Island.
“That’s when I have found some of the
most interesting ones in my collection,” Judy
Englewood Shell Club former president
Linda Powers has an impressive
collection of shells — many were
found locally. The ones pictured here
were found in the Philippines.
The small right whirling lightning whelk in the center of this
photo is extremely rare, because most lightning whelks are left
whirling like the white colored one above. Conchologist George
Melissas said chances of finding a right whirling whelk are one in
150,000.