By Scott D. Johnston
Grays Harbor’s resident beachcombing expert Alan Rammer will visit Ocean Shores twice in December for events hosted by the Coastal Interpretive Center (CIC).
He will lead the first session of “Beachcombing ID from A to Z” on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Center, 1033 Catala Ave. SE in Ocean Shores. Then at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, he will deliver the next edition of the Center’s “Glimpses” lecture series at the Home Port Restaurant, 857 Pt. Brown Ave. NW.
Beth Hunkins, executive director of the CIC, explained that the idea is a good fit for something that commonly occurs at their location near Damon Point. “We’ve noticed that a lot of people come in and bring their finds from the beach. That’s something we enjoy,” she said. “Beachcombing is a big deal in Ocean Shores, and we want to celebrate that.” Thus, their website, www.interpretivecenter.org, and their Facebook page both proclaim: “We are inviting all beachcombers to stop by with their discoveries. Bring in your unusual, mysterious beachcombed finds. A prize will be awarded for the most unique beachcombed item!” Rammer will be on hand to identify the items brought in, offer his expert opinion on identification of all finds, and award prizes to particularly remarkable items.
Rammer is well positioned for this fun afternoon. A 1974 graduate of the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science degree in both Shellfish Biology and Invertebrate Zoology, he became well known throughout the Harbor and beyond during a 35-year career with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and its predecessor agencies.
Along the way, he received numerous awards, capped off in 2012 when he was named the National Marine Educator of the Year.
Residing near Montesano, he has spent literally thousands of hours on area beaches, and co-founded the Ocean Shores Beachcombers Fun Fair in 1985, serving as the event’s chairman for its first five years.
Steve Green, lead docent at the CIC, said of Rammer, “I don’t know anybody that could do a better job with identification, and he will give you some very entertaining, often personal background on the item. You don’t often meet someone as humble, personable and excited and passionate.”
Plus, “he’s really hard to stump. He’s been a resource for me on several occasions, and identified everything I’ve seen that has washed up on our beaches.”
Beachcombing ID From A to Z is free to everyone.
The Glimpses lectures are $10 each. The Museum of the North Beach in Moclips is partnering with the Coastal Interpretive Center on the Beachcombing ID event, and will host a second session in February.
More information can be found online on the Coastal Interpretive Center Facebook page and at www.interpretivecenter.org.
