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To the Editor:

If you were not able to attend any of the “Searchers of New Horizons” Symposium last weekend, you missed a real opportunity to mix it up with scholars and local authorities on this area’s rich heritage.

We attended Day Three: “Native Americans and the Fate of the Lost Colony,” and were happy to discover not only an interesting usage of the term “counterfeit” but rediscovered the wonderful story of the “White Deer” that charmed many of us who remember it from our earlier days. Also had no idea about the golden wedges that Manteo and Wanchese wore on their transformative trip to England, but also that one of these wedges (which were crescent shaped and worn as an ear stud) was one of the objects found in Sir Walter Raleigh’s clothing after his head was cut off.

But the most exciting revelation had to be from Scott Dawson’s affirmation that there has been “bullet proof” truth discovered down the sand dune road towards Hatteras that proves the Lost Colony inhabitants moved to Hatteras Island to cohabitate with the Croatan Indians. If you don’t believe it, or can’t quite get your head to accept that news then be sure to watch the Discovery channel special in May (15th?). Or catch Scott somewhere south of here and ask him what didn’t make the show but absolutely nails the truth on the tree next to the CRO carving.

If you had attended this day you would have also been able to hear Helen Rountree who is an expert on the Virginia Algonquins which include the tribes of Northeastern NC. We learned much about the Indians’ ability to flourish in what must have been teeming with wildlife, oysters, and Tuckahoe (google it).

This symposium was well planned and was provided in a setting that if you haven’t been to, go soon, there is also so much to learn at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. And for this week only, you can visit the Dare County Art Council and go upstairs to the exhibit of the “paintings by John White, engravings of Theodore Derby with text by Thomas Harriot on 16th century English & Native American viewpoints.” We were surprised by the great positioning of the wonderful Native American prints (check out Secotan) alongside the great aviation history stemming from the mighty Wright Brothers… Only thru the end of this week April 9th.

Also, the correct pronunciation of Wanchese was said to be Wan-chesse-say, so say the scholars…

Russ Watkins

Southern Shores

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