Lucas: Popular Beaufort book-lovers' program returns with hefty new lineup
A long-standing, innovative literary series that features well-known community leaders presenting "thought provoking" books returns to Beaufort this month.
"Books Sandwiched In" will run most Mondays from Jan. 11 through March 7 and will feature eight guest presenters from the area.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Beaufort Library, the series with the somewhat unusual name, has been a popular lunchtime favorite for Beaufort County book-lovers for three decades.
"We'd love to rename it," said Friends president Marilyn Harcharik and laughed. "But this is the 30th year and everyone loves it."
The name came from an attempt to literally "sandwich" books in to the busy lives of participants over the course of a lunch hour.
Participants originally brought a bag lunch and, in a casual setting, heard community members talk about and read excerpts from a favorite book or a book that had affected them lately.
"It's amazing the list of people who have done this over the years," Harcharik said. "One of the most fun years was 2011, which was the 300-year anniversary of the city."
Harcharik recalls community leaders such as Mayor Billy Keyserling and W. Brantley Harvey Jr. presenting books related to Beaufort or South Carolina history that year.
Harvey presented "Strom: The Complicated Personal & Political Life of Strom Thurmond" by Jack Bass and Marilyn Thompson.
"It was very entertaining," Harcharik said.
And organizers have continued that tradition -- this year's lineup features speakers from a variety of backgrounds.
"We try to get different people with different passions or an interest in the arts in any form, whether it's music or painting or literature," Harcharik said. "It's just a broad range of people."
The 2016 lineup will feature a number of novels set against a historical backdrop, from 18th century Africa to modern-day Cuba. The selections also cover a number of themes, among them race relations, societal conflict and survival against all odds.
In addition, several Gullah-Geechee experts are included in this year's program, something Harcharik said she is looking forward to.
"And that's the thing about everyone here," she said. "They have a real passion for what they do."
If You Go
"Books Sandwiched In" kicks off Jan. 11 and runs most Mondays through March 7 at the University of South Carolina Beaufort's Center for Performing Arts, 801 Carteret St., Beaufort.
Programs begin at noon. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.
Participants can bring a snack or bag lunch. Coffee and cookies will be provided.
The event is free; donations to support library programs will be accepted. Applications for membership to the Friends of the Beaufort Library also will be available.
For more information, visit www.friendsofthebeaufortlibrary.com.
Presenters include:
Anita Singleton-Prather, Jan. 11
Singleton-Prather, a master storyteller, singer and award-winning educator who has worked to preserve Gullah-Geechee heritage, will present "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Written by Herself" by Harriet Ann Jacobs.
Mike McFee, Jan. 25
McFee, a real estate broker, member of Beaufort City Council and various community organizations, will present "The Other Side of Paradise: Life in the New Cuba" by Julia Cooke.
Katherine Lang, Feb. 1
Lang, who has served as president of the Beaufort History Museum, as an art gallery director and an English and art teacher, will present "Someone Knows My Name: A Novel" by Lawrence Hill.
Ned Tupper, Feb. 8
Tupper, a local attorney, part-time Beaufort Municipal Court judge and member of several boards including the Penn Center Advisory Board, will present "Natchez Burning" by Greg Iles.
Victoria Smalls, Feb. 15
Smalls, director of development, marketing and annual fundraising for the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District and a Gullah native of St. Helena Island, will present "Penn Center: A History Preserved" by Orville Vernon Burton with Wilbur Cross.
Barbara Hathaway, Feb. 22
Hathaway, a librarian who has worked for the Library of Congress and is active in a number of local organizations, will present "The Wright Brothers" by David McCullough.
Ellen Malphrus, Feb. 29
Malphrus, a Bluffton-based writer who teaches literature and creative writing at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, will present her debut novel, "Untying the Moon."
Barbara Olney, March 7
Olney, an elementary school teacher for 23 years who has worked as an education consultant and is a member of the tap-dance group, the Beaufortettes, will present "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr.
Follow reporter Mindy Lucas on Twitter at twitter.com/MindyatIPBG.
Related content:
This story was originally published January 2, 2016 at 11:20 PM with the headline "Lucas: Popular Beaufort book-lovers' program returns with hefty new lineup."