Shell+Story

= Star of the Show: = = The Queen Helmet =



The Queen Helmet Conch on display at the Aquarium of Niagara is a very special shell. It is decades old, and was originally in the collection of a woman named Juanita Carter who lived in Kannapolis, North Carolina.

She was an avid shell collector and friend who shared my love of seashells and was a major contributor to my continued interest in marine sciences.

When I was 8 or 9 years old, I remember riding my bicycle around my neighborhood. On one of those rides, I fell off of my bike right outside of Mrs. Carter's house. She happened to be outside and came to my aid. I remember cutting my toe and being upset. She invited me to bring my bicycle into her driveway while she ran inside to get a bandage for me. I remember her sitting me at her kitchen table to help me with the bandage, and I remember seeing some of her shells on her bookshelf.

I told her that I, too, collected shells, but didn't have anything as nice as what she had on display. This Queen Helmet conch was one of the shells on her bookshelf.

Over the years, we shared our shells with each other, as well as many conversations, lots of Coca-Cola, and far too many pieces of candy! I grew up, and went to college for an undergraduate degree in Biology, always seeing Juanita Carter when I came home for visits.

She passed away in the mid-90's, but gave this Queen Helmet conch to me to remember her by. Now, it's nice to share those memories, and the Conch, with others--hopefully to inspire someone else to continue being fascinated by the beauty that our Earth has to offer.

It's been 30 years since I first met Juanita Carter, from a chance accident outside her house, and now I am thrilled to be able to share her story, and the shells, with the Aquarium of Niagara visitors!

-Mike Fisher 2010

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