Do you know the state reptile for South Carolina?  It’s the loggerhead sea turtle.  Who did the hare lose to in Aesop’s fable, The Tortoise and the Hare?  The tortoise (turtle), of course.  Turtles and tortoises have been a part of our cultural heritage for centuries.  They appear in folklore, art, sculpture and jewelry and have fascinated people for generations.  On display during the month of January at the McMahan Library in St George is the Turtle collection of Ms Millie Chaplin of Harleyville.  Her collection includes some unique pieces from all over the world.  Ms Chaplin started her collection when she was a child with a small ceramic piece belonging to her mother.  It was the only piece in her collection for years until she purchased a small wooden box for her music picks.  Later a friend introduced her to the wonderful world of collecting turtles in many forms.  She began searching for unusual pieces.  Her pieces range from the very large (planters and concrete sculptures in the yard) to the very small (the smallest piece measures ˝ inch) and from the whimsical to the weird.  When asked why she chose to collect turtles, Ms. Chaplain said, “Turtles are interesting reptiles.  They are found throughout nature and folklore.  I love telling turtle stories because the turtle never gets in a hurry and always teaches a lesson.”  Stop by the library to see the unusual pieces of her collection that are on display.