Houston Conchology Society The Epitonium Volume XXV, Issue 9 President s Message By Angela Doucette Headed to some wild and unbelievable destination this summer? Well, I certainly hope so and make sure we see you on YouTube. Shell events will certainly keep you busy - First, the Seashell Jamboree in Corpus Christi, May 4-6, 2018; second, the Annual Houston Conchology Society Banquet at the Monument Inn on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at NOON; and third, COA in San Diego, CA, August 29-September 2, 2018. I would especially like to thank everyone for working to keep the club going this last season. All that you do is greatly appreciated, and we always welcome new members and new ideas. Have a great summer. www.houstonshellclub.com 2018 COA Convention May, 2018 The San Diego Shell Club will be hosting the annual convention August 29 September 2. Several field trips are scheduled for August 27-28. You can find details and registration information at: http:// www.conchologistsofamerica.org/conventions/. Dues If you have not paid HCS dues for 2018-19 and receive a paper copy of the newsletter, you will find a membership form enclosed. If you read the newsletter on the website and have not paid, you will have a form emailed to you. It would be a great help to the treasurer if you send them in ASAP, so she can deposit them all at the same time, otherwise it might be several weeks before your check is cashed.
PAGE 2 THE EPITONIUM VOLUME XXV, ISSUE 9 President: Angela Doucette 713-523-0169 Vice President: Darwin Alder 713-256-9087 Treasurer: Sandy Clark 713-926-6797 Recording Secretary: Rusti Stover 713-614-4882 Corresponding Secretary: Jerry Clampit 713-468-0610 Visit HCS online at www.houstonshellclub.com CALENDAR 5/19 HCS Banquet 8/29 Begin COA In Memoriam Members of the HCS are sad to learn that Delbert Del Klaus passed away on May 2. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kay and her family. Programs for 2018-19 Darwin Alder would like program ideas for next year. If you would like to present a program or have a suggestion, please contact him. Submitted by Rusti Stover April Minutes Since we had an out-of-town speaker, the program was prior to the business meeting. At 7:30 p.m. Sarah Gossett of the Galveston Bay Foundation gave an update about the health of the bay after Hurricane Harvey in August of 2017. From her report, it appears that the bay has quickly recovered. After the program, Darwin Alder presented another short talk in his "The Mo You Know" series, about how important the Latin names are to identifying shells worldwide. There was also a Play- Doh-"Sea Star" sculpture contest with prizes. Darwin also wished all the members Happy Birthday and gave everyone homemade coasters as gifts. The April meeting of the Houston Conchology Society was called to order by President Angela Doucette at 8:35 p.m. on Tuesday April 17, 2018, at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Angela welcomed everyone, and guests Fred Vervaet and Rachel Venable introduced themselves. Fred is from the Netherlands and is in Houston for business and plans to do some research on Olividae at the HMNS. MINUTES: Lucy Clampit made a motion to accept the March 2018 minutes as published. Dave Green seconded, all approved, motion passed. TREASURER'S REPORT: Sandy Clark reported a balance of $10,555.64. She also stated that the final profit tally from the auction was $3525.00. Sandy also stated she had banquet tickets for sale for $20 a person. OLD BUSINESS: Angela reminded everyone that dues were due. The Annual end-of-season banquet will be held at the Monument Inn on Saturday May 19, 2018, starting at noon. We can get into the room at 11:30 a.m. Angela stated there were a few brochures available for COA in San Diego this summer; other members told the assembled that the 2019 convention is scheduled to be held in Sanibel, Florida. Angela has helped arrange for a display of shells at the main library in downtown Houston either in August or September of this year. Alex Chapman and Rusti Stover have agreed to help. Other members can volunteer also to help with this project. Contact Angela for more information. Continued on page 3
VOLUME XXV, ISSUE 9 THE EPITONIUM PAGE 3 Continued from page 2 Lucy is still working on finding a new place for the club to meet on Sunday afternoon. More information will be forthcoming. Angela called for adjournment and the meeting was adjourned at 8:54 pm. Texas Jamboree Thanks to the Coastal Bend Shell Club for a fun event! Shellers from around Texas, along with a few from Florida and Arizona, spent three days buying shells, books, and shell related items, listening to great speakers, renewing friendships, and making new friends. Thanks again to Theresa Stelzig and her helpers. The next Jamboree is scheduled to be hosted by the HCS in 2020. (Pictures were taken by Rusti Stover.)
PAGE 4 THE EPITONIUM VOLUME XXV, ISSUE 9 The editor recently received the following press release about a new book. She has not seen the book, but it looks as though it might be a fun, fluffy, summer read. It is available on Amazon. The Beachcomber s Companion An Illustrated Guide to Collecting and Identifying Beach Treasures Written by Anna Marlis Burgard Illustrated by Jillian Ditner ON SALE APRIL 17, 2018 128 pages 45 full color illustrations $16.95 ISBN: 9781452161167 BREEZY, INVITING, AND DELIGHTFUL Just like a day at the beach Beachcombing is a simple pleasure; the scanning of the surf line, along with the sounds of the waves and wind, helps create a sort of hypnotic state, releasing whatever else might be on our minds. The treasures we find are all pieces of an ocean s story; the shoreline is the introduction where we meet some of its characters and are given clues to its far-- reaching communities. The Beachcomber's Companion is a charming illustrated guide for collecting and identifying shells and many other objects tossed ashore by the waves. The perfect summer hostess gift, it s a must for every coastal home. Each of the entries for bivalves, gastropods, echinoderms, crustaceans, and more includes fascinating descriptions, fun facts, and detailed artwork that makes it easy for readers to identify their own beach discoveries and understand more about the creatures that called them home. A handy resource section offers tips on how to prepare before setting out on a shoreline adventure, including the beachcomber's commandments, must-- have items for every collecting toolkit, and advice on cleaning and preserving shells. MAY 5-02 Tina Petway 5-13 Jamie Cormier 5-14 Beth Caulfield 5-15 George Carpenter 5-18 John Haneiko 5-22 Angela Doucette 5-30 Barbara Heinrich JUNE 6-01 John Joiner 6-11 Gary Olson 6-19 Dave Barziza 6-21 David Diehl 6-29 Maxine Wells 6-30 Gladys Ralls JULY 7-11 Jingyu Wu 7-12 John Zelko 7-13 Dennis Harris 7-16 Lucy Clampit 7-20 Charlie Roe 7-26 Leslie Crnkovic 7-29 Reen Catanzaro AUGUST 8-03 Dave Green 8-03 Linda Green 8-15 Lauretta Marr 8-29 Cheryl Jacobs
VOLUME XXV, ISSUE 9 THE EPITONIUM PAGE 5 HCS Banquet May 19 th Tickets are $20 per person. If you have not already purchased tickets, please RSVP by May 15 to Sandy Clark at (713) 926-6797. Gathering time is 11:30 AM and we will eat at noon. Address: 4406 Independence Parkway La Porte, Texas 77571 (821) 479-1521
The Epitonium is published monthly August through May and is an official publication of the Houston Conchology Society. Items of interest concerning shells and shelling are welcome for publication. Credit will be given to contributors when known unless anonymity is requested. Permission is granted for reprinting articles, provided credit is given to The Epitonium, the writer, and the Houston Conchology Society and a copy of the reprint is sent to the editor of the newsletter. Editor: Lucy Clampit 10532 Hammerly Blvd., Houston, TX 77043 Phone: (713) 468-0610 E-mail: lclampit@comcast.net The Society holds regular meetings on the third Tuesday of August, September, October, November, January, February and April. There are seasonal events and a yearly shell auction scheduled in the other months. Meetings start at 7:30 PM at the Museum of Natural Science, 5555 Hermann Park Drive. VISITORS WELCOME!!! Membership year extends from June 1 through May 31. Annual membership dues: Family $12; Single $10; Junior (under 18) $6; Subscriptions only (Museums, Corporations) $12; Foreign postage add $8. Make checks payable to Houston Conchology Society and send to Sandy Clark, 2475 Underwood St. #288, Houston, TX 77005. 5555 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX HOUSTON CONCHOLOGY SOCIETY Jerry Clampit, Corresponding Secretary 10532 Hammerly Blvd. Houston, Texas 77043