It’s almost February and love is in the air! The Beaufort District Collection is home to over 12,000+ local history materials, but did you know that we also have some love stories scattered about? To celebrate the month of February I have gathered a few materials full of love in order to spread the Valentine’s Day spirit!
♡ SC FIC SAY 1994 The Distance Between Us by Valerie Sayers. New York: Doubleday, 1994.
Local author Valerie Sayers has written multiple novels centered around the town of Due East, which is loosely inspired by Beaufort itself. The distance between us is about two lovers, Franny and Steward, who could not be more different, yet they are forever entangled. Their common ground being the love they have for their hometown of Due East, South Carolina. The BDC has a copy of her first novel in the series, Due East as well.
♡ SC FIC FRO 2003 From the Heart: Stories of Love and Friendship by Kendell Bell. Beaufort, S.C.: Coastal Villages Press, 2003.
In the aftermath of September 11th, Journalist Kendall Bell began his project to collect stories from people all over the country in hopes to lift others' spirits. After receiving copious amounts of stories that will make the reader both laugh and cry, Bell compiled his favorite stories into one book, From the Heart. “Amazing Love Story” was written by Marlyn C. Phelps of Canton, Ohio. She sent in a heartwarming story of love at first sight and 32 beautiful years spent with her husband, Jim.
♡ SC B QUEEN QUET 2013 Love's Sea Island Song: A Gullah/Geechee Soul Journey by Marquetta L. Goodwine.
Love's Sea Island Song: A Gullah/Geechee Soul Journey was written by Queen Quet, the Chieftess and Head-of-State for the Gullah/Geechee Nation. She states that her novella is “dedicated to love. It is dedicated to my love”. Queen Quet takes the reader on a spiritual journey full of life and love in the Lowcountry. This was her first step into the world of audio books- we even have our own copy of the audio recording here in the BDC! If you would like to give it a listen for yourself, see below for how to make an appointment.
♡ SC 810.80757 HAM 2015 Lowcountry Lady by Gloria Hiers Hamilton. Beaufort, S.C.: Murr Printing Beaufort Publishing, 2015.
The Lowcountry Lady, Gloria Hamilton, created this combination of short stories, poems, and photographs to honor one of her greatest loves: The South. She even includes a Valentine’s Day poem that she lovingly dedicated to her husband.
♡ SC 810.98975 HEY 2012 Stories and Poems of a Gullah Native, Book II by Elijah Heyward, Jr. Irmo, South Carolina: MavLit Publishing, 2018.
In his second book of Gullah stories and poems, Peppi Cool Breeze (Heyward) writes of his life in Beaufort during the mid to late 1900’s. It is a tribute to young black children who persevered through a time of discovery and hope for a greater world. Heyward included a sweet poem that he wrote titled “A Valentine Thought.”
The summary of this book in the SCLENDS catalog says: Sway of the Siren involves a murder on a nearby island and an investigation that evolves into a love story, seamlessly weaving "history throughout a compelling narrative written in poetic prose, taking the reader on a journey of oppression, seduction, destruction and finally redemption."
Other BDC titles in which you might go looking for love in include:
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This is an ensemble of poems that were written about numerous different parts of South Carolina, with many focusing on Beaufort itself. Dowling dedicates her book to the state of South Carolina in commemoration of its tricentennial. She included multiple love poems, but I wanted to shout out “Valentine” in particular. It is a humorous, yet elegant poem about boundless love. I liked it so much Dowling's poem is the featured BDC material by our Researcher Registration book.
This is a collection of short stories from various authors across Hilton Head Island and includes "The Accidental Valentine" by Sangsing McPherson on pages ? . The story is about nine pages long and follows a woman named Sally whose biggest concern at the time is her assignment for work, not Valentine's Day. She runs into traffic on her way into work and gets into a car accident. The man who hit her was incredibly rude. However, a young man who she refers to as "Cute Blue Eyes" happens to pass by and offer to assist her. He later becomes her (you guessed it) accidental valentine.
If you are interested in any of the materials I have shared today, you can explore the local history section at your favorite Beaufort County Library branch and/or make an appointment to come visit us in the BDC. Send an email to bdc@bcgov.net or call 843-255-6468 to set up a BDC appointment date and time.
Reminder: The library will be closed Monday, February17th in observance of Presidents’ Day.
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