Book Events for Aug. 8, 2012

Phillips to speak about cemeteries book at Foundation for Historical La.

Faye Phillips
Faye Phillips

The Foundation for Historical Louisiana (FHL) is hosting a lecture and book signing by author Faye Phillips on her new publication, Baton Rouge Cemeteries: A Photographic History on Thursday, Aug. 9. The event begins with refreshments at 6 p.m. and the lecture will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Old Governor’s Mansion, 501 North Blvd.

Phillips, who recently retired as the associate dean of libraries at LSU, is the author of three previous books about Baton Rouge. Phillips, who co-authored Historic Baton Rouge with Sylvia Frank Rodriguez, will share pictorial highlights from the book during the lecture. The book will be available at the FHL event for $20.

Phillips writes, “For many immigrants to Baton Rouge, being buried in the highlands of their European homes was a dream. Recognizing that this desire was unlikely to come to fruition, they christened the bluff above the Mississippi River south of the town as ‘Highland’ and established Highland Cemetery in 1819. The military fort had a burial ground; churches established cemeteries; owners, family members, and slaves were buried on the plantations; towns offered municipal cemeteries and paupers’ plots; and families distant from towns created family cemeteries. Magnolia Cemetery was established for citizens in 1852, most of whom were white. Sweet Olive and the Lutheran Cemeteries were for free people of color and slaves. St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, established in 1826, did not discriminate on race but on religious affiliation, as did the Jewish cemetery. Civil War Union soldiers were separated from Confederates buried in Magnolia Cemetery and interred in the Baton Rouge National Cemetery. In 1921, Roselawn Park Cemetery represented the beginning of cemeteries as business.”

The lecture will depict what Phillips describes as “beautiful statuary, elaborate tombstones and memorials, unique monuments to the departed, and lush gardens that accentuate Baton Rouge’s cities of the dead.” Baton Rouge Cemeteries is dedicated to those who work to preserve historic cemeteries in Baton Rouge.

EBR Parish Library

Whether it is possible to truly understand the forces at odds with the times or not, as genealogical researchers it is necessary to hunt for those who served. At 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, the Bluebonnet Regional branch, 9200 Bluebonnet Blvd., will host a class based on the book In Search of Confederate Ancestors, The Guide by John H. Segars and the National Genealogical Society’s guidelines for finding your Civil War ancestors.

Come learn the basic five-step process of genealogy and tips for better search results in this seminar offered for the first time in two years. Look for details and outlines on the genealogy Infoguide, http://ebrpl.libguides.com/genealogy. If you can’t make the class, it will be available on Ed2Go online, http://www.ed2go.com/l-pebr/. For more information or to register, call (225) 763-2283.

Using the goals of first lady Michelle Obama, nutrition agent Eva Davis and children ages 5 and older will discuss and receive hands-on information about food and fitness along with gardening and nutrition tips at the Greenwell Springs Regional branch, 11300 Greenwell Springs Road, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11. Children will talk about why they should eat healthy and stay active. For more information or to register, call (225) 274-4460.

Book clubs:

Livingston Parish Library

Do you enjoy watching and discussing good movies? The Main branch, 20390 Iowa Street in Livingston, is starting a film club for adults. The first meeting is at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9. Attendees will watch a movie and then discuss it afterwards. Movies may include culturally significant films based on critical reviews and awards received, American classics, world cinema and independent films. For the movie title or more information about the film club, call (225) 686-2436.

Magic Club of Watson will meet 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at Watson branch, 36581 Outback Road in Denham Springs. Members will practice magic, learn new stuff. New members welcome.

Book clubs:

Ascension Parish Library

Are you a young adult who enjoys reading? If so, Ascension Parish Library’s Teen Book Club is holding their monthly meeting 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the Galvez branch, 40300 La. 42 in Prairieville. This program is open to all teens in 6th grade and above. Come talk about the book you are reading with other like-minded people and have some light refreshments. For further information, call (225) 622-3339.

W. Feliciana Parish Library

Advanced Readers’ Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, at the library, 11865 Ferdinand St. in St. Francisville.

Iberville Parish Library

Lafayette Public Library

Arrr! Join a Park Ranger and hear the stories of the pirate Jean Laffite at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, at South Regional Library, 6101 Johnston St. in Lafayette. Help separate fact from fiction and learn about the legends of this famous pirate. This informative Park Ranger Series will feature a Park Ranger from the Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve who will teach attendees about National Parks, Louisiana Identity, and the Pirate Jean Lafitte.

Signings

Tom Wooten, author of We Shall Not Be Moved: Rebuilding Home In The Wake Of Katrina, will sign copies of his book at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6, at Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St. in New Orleans.

Ridgely B. Merritt, Jr., author of One Moment with God, will talk about the life-changing incident that restored his faith in God and then sign copies of his book 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at East Baton Rouge Parish Library Jones Creek Regional branch, 6222 Jones Creek Road.

Pamela Binnings Ewen, author of Chasing The Wind, will sign copies of her book 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at Garden District Book Shop, 2727 Prytania St. in New Orleans.

Items for Book Events were provided by The Foundation for Historical Louisiana, East Baton Rouge Parish Library, Livingston Parish Library, Ascension Parish Library, West Feliciana Parish Library, Iberville Parish Library and Lafayette Public Library.

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