BEACHCOMBERS• CALENDAR: Some of us get so swept away with checking out wh^t
shells have been eased into shore every day that we find our eyes rivited to
the ground as we walk the beach, sometimes forgetting t^ soak up the glitter
ing sunsets, the glistening breakers, and even the galumphing porpoises. The
selection of shells changes daily, just as do the texture and mood of the sea.
In January, for example, the sea pens begin to float in, often be-barnacled
and cracked, but always iridescent. In February and March one can go wild
picking up those worn down pieces of purple lined clam shells (one of us
gathered enough of those to fill up an apothecary jar and finally gained
control of herself and began on something else,)
Throughout the spring the yellow and orange tree-like growths wash in. They
are very sturdy and work well with dried flowers or glued onto driftwood. In
May the scallop shells were in abundance and that same compulsive person men
tioned above filled an enormous glass b«wl with them before coming ti^ her
senses,
There are seemingly fewer shells in summer, but some days you can bring back
large hauls of razor clams and jingles (good for making wind chimes, because
it s easy to make holes in them with the poke of an ice-pick), and there are
always those worn out feet-like oyster shells.
All year the olive shells are scarce around here, but we found more in June
than any other time. Did you know that the coquinas, gorgeous tiny things
that are frequently seen scrunching their way down into the wet sand, make
eavenly broth? Certain days they can be scooped up by the handfuls, rinsed
o at home, and boiled up quickly with some seasoning, Don*t bother to pick
cut the meat; it would mean hours with tweezers. Just drain off the juice.
Nwiny, (Dissenting note: It isn’t all that hard to get the meat out, and it
tastes good. Signed 2d Editor) On the island of Margarita, off the coast of
enezuela, they call these creatures chipi-chipis, and they serve chipi-rhipi
soup in the restaurants.
As autumn arrives, so arrive the large horseshoe crabs, the Icvely brown and
grey striped clam shells, the huge cockles that you can use for baking ladies*
luncheon seafood surprises, and, a bit later, you»ll find lots of ark shells,
occasi«»nal ladies* ears (though they turn up off and on all year,) plenty of
clam varieties, augers, and moon snails.
And so the year begins again, but hold your head up high as you walk along
the more bare stretches of sand in order not to miss your view of sea and
sky - helps to avoid a stiff neck, too!
MEET THE OVERMANS: PKS*s police chief grew up wanting to be a policemen.
One has the feeling that those are the best kind. He really wants to help
people, believes deeply in law and order. Howard was born in Raleigh, came
to Morehead as a small child, was exposed to police life through his father,
V/ o was captain of the Atlantic Beach department, Howard worked there
suinmers during high school, then went off to law enforcemeat schools, attended
every class in police work he could find anywhere, went to work for the More-
head City Police department for eight years before coming to us this fall.
H?)ward»s wife, Mitzie (her real name is Georgia), A Morehead City girl, met
Howard while she was working in the tax office there, following business
trailing at Hardbarger Business School. They were married in 1970, live in
o^ehead City, Last February Bryan Kelly Overman was born to them (they*re
that Irish, says Mitzie, but they love the name!) Howard is a voraci©us
Reader and collects guns; Mitzie belongs to a handicraft club, Howard looks
^ter Pine Knoll Shores residents and their homes with a loyalty and dedica-
for which we can be most grateful
^l^gtilights: The guests collaborated on hor d*ouvres for the Christmas
party at the Atlantis Lodge this year, and we hear that the
at th terrific. John Collier roasted a pig for a New Year*s Dav dinner
say parties all over the neighborhood, and we can ail
holid^^ that this is a very gay and wonderful place «:o be over the
editor Betty Hammon, one of the highlights of the season was
t^oll sing **Sl lent Night*’ at the carol sing at Cres and Milt
aecks , Kary has a beautiful solo voice,
I ** Rogers, a fine person, well liked by all his neighbors, died
suddenly just after Christmas. Our sympathy to Mabel,
Your editors,
Mary Doll and Betty Hammon
Rt,l, Morehead City, N,C., 28557