Friends of the Waccamaw Library announces its Fall 1st Thursday series

The popular Friends of the Waccamaw Library (FOWL) 1^st Thursday Speaker Series returns for another highly anticipated run in Fall 2026. Though subjects of presentations are eclectic, most highlight a facet of local or South Carolina Lowcountry culture, such as the area’s diverse histories; elements of the coastal ecology; or the unique language, customs, literature, and arts inspired by the region.

Presentations will be held in person in the DeBordieu-Cross Auditorium at the Waccamaw Library, located at 41 St. Paul Place, Pawleys Island, SC 29585. All 1^st Thursday events begin at 10:00 a.m. on the first Thursday of the month, and are free and open to the public. Arrive early to enjoy piano music performed by the talented Tom Santopietro. If you miss a presentation, videos are available afterwards on the Georgetown County Library YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/GeorgetownCountyLibr

The Fall 2026 lineup features an engaging range of speakers and topics, including certified Egyptologists Robin Snell and Steven Zambriczki on mysterious spiritual practices and mummification rituals of ancient Egypt; journalist and author Jason Lesley on the checkered stories inspired by Georgetown’s infamous brothel, The Sunset Lodge, which is the subject of his new book; author and tour guide Christine Vernon on the fascinating history of pirates in our area, including the legend of Drunken Jack; and prolific author Susan Hoffer McMillan on amazing tales from McClellanville, a unique Lowcountry village.

Specific titles are included below:

• Thursday, September 3 at 10:00 am: Robin Snell & Steven Zambriczki (Egyptologists), “Gods, Goddesses & Mummies”
• Thursday, October 1 at 10:00 am: Jason Lesley (Journalist & Author), “The Sunset Lodge: Georgetown’s Dirty Little Secret”
• Thursday, November 5 at 10:00 am: Christine Vernon (Author & Guide), “Legendary Pirates of Murrells Inlet: Fact & Fiction”
• Thursday, December 3 at 10:00 am: Susan Hoffer McMillan (Author), “McClellanville: A Lowcountry Village with a Distinctive History”