Saturday, May 31, 2025 – 2:00-3:30 PM EDT
Price: Free
Registration: Seating is limited; please call to reserve your spot: 843-379-7025.
Venue: Pat Conroy Literary Center | 601 Bladen St., Beaufort
Website: Facebook Event Page
The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center will host an afternoon with Annelore Harrell, author of Et Cetera Y’all, Volume 1, on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at the Conroy Center (601 Bladen St., Beaufort).
Free and open to the public. Books will be available for sale and signing. Seating is limited; please call in advance to reserve: 843-379-7025.
About the Book and Author
“Step into the enchanting world of Annelore Harrell and the coastal Lowcountry I love so dearly. With twenty-four years of remarkable newspaper columns, this collection is a treasure chest of insight, immersive experiences, and wisdom. From past to present, Annelore Harrell brings us on a journey to meet the forgotten heroes, see the locales of her experience, and encounter the allure of southern hospitality. A captivating storyteller with a keen and wise eye, Annelore Harrell’s prose transports us to the soul of the south.”–Patti Callahan Henry, bestselling author
Get inspired by the extraordinary Annelore Harrell, who brings her unique voice and vibrant storytelling to life in Et Cetera Y’all, Volume 1. This delightful collection, released in October 2024, showcases her charming and insightful newspaper columns from her inaugural year.
Annelore Harrell’s journey is a tapestry woven with fascinating experiences and extraordinary accomplishments. Born in 1932 in Savannah, Georgia, Annelore began visiting Myrtle Island in Bluffton with her family in 1942, joining the ranks of the “summer people” who traveled from Savannah. Despite bullying at school in 1937, which led her to stop speaking her first language, German, Annelore’s resilience shone through.
By age 12, Annelore was confidently driving a car, a skill she still retains with a careful eye on the rearview mirror. Her remarkable journey continued with her presidency of the world’s largest Officer’s Wives Club at Ft. Bragg, NC, in 1970. In 1974, she captivated audiences with her portrayal of Eleanor of Aquitaine in “Lion in Winter” in Stuttgart.
Transitioning into real estate in the mid-to-late ’70s, Annelore founded Annelore Harrell Realty, further cementing her legacy. In 1981, she moved to her retirement home on Myrtle Island, but retirement was merely a new chapter for her.
In the early ’80s, she taught her daughter, Tamela Pinckney, and other young mothers the art of bridge. From 1995 to 1998, Annelore hosted a weekly, live, one-hour show on the Bluffton Broadcasting Channel, “BBC.” Her voice resonated with the community for nearly 25 years as a weekly columnist for the Bluffton newspaper, Carolina Morning News, later known as The Bluffton Today. Her outstanding work earned 1st Place in her category for Best Column from the SC Press Association.
In 2017, Mayor Lisa Sulka celebrated Annelore’s contributions by recognizing her 1,000th newspaper column and declaring June 23rd as “Lala Day,” a nickname her grandchildren gave her. She was further honored in 2021 when she served as the Grand Marshal of the Bluffton Christmas Parade.
Annelore’s eclectic tastes in reading and music reflect her adventurous spirit. She enjoys various genres, from rock and classical to blues, bluegrass, indie, alternative, R&B, and Gregorian chants. Known for her unforgettable parties and fashion-forward style, she was rocking men’s ties long before it became a trend.
Even at 92 in 2025, Annelore’s energy and zest for life continue to inspire. Kathy L. Murphy of Big Book Love (formerly Pulpwood Queens Book Club) honored her work by naming Et Cetera Y’all, Volume 1, the Bonus Book of the Month for December 2025.
Annelore Harrell’s story is a testament to living with passion, resilience, and an unquenchable thirst for adventure.
