Restore those papers at Restoration Roadshow

In light of the historic flooding in August, The Historic New Orleans Collection (THNOC) is collaborating with several local institutions and conservators to host the Restoration Roadshow, an event to provide the public with free consultations on how they can preserve their flood-damaged belongings. Experts will be at the Mall of Louisiana (inside near the entrance of Dillard’s) from noon to 4 p.m. today to advise individuals on restoring their damaged paper documents, frames and mirrors, furniture, glass and ceramics, jewelry and metals, paintings, photographs, and textiles. This will be the second time that The Historic New Orleans Collection has presented a Restoration Roadshow; the first events were held in the greater New Orleans area in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and were widely attended.

Book events for Oct. 16-23

Dixie Poche discusses her book, “Classic Eateries of Cajun Country” at the Friends of the Lafayette Library Annual Author Dinner from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Petroleum Club. Her book is an anthology about 40 of French Louisiana’s pioneering eateries. She will share stories of these classic restaurants, meat markets and bakeries as well as discuss some traditional Cajun food customs like boucheries. The cost is $25 and reservations must be made by calling Bobbie at 984-8661 before noon on Oct. 25.  

Newbery Honor Award winner and National Book Award finalist Kathi Appelt discusses her children’s books with a question and answer period to follow from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Monday at South Regional Library and will discuss the process of writing a book in “My Life as a Writer” from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Main Library in downtown Lafayette.

            David Billings will discuss his book “Deep Denial: The Persistence of White Supremacy in United States History and Life” at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Octavia Books in New Orleans. Also at Octavia, Troy Gilbert, Billy Solitario and Chef Matthew Mayfield sign “On the Coast: Mississippi Tales and Recipes” at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Rebecca Hazelwood and Ken and Jenni Anderson will read as part of the Thursday Night Reading presented by the UL-Lafayette English Department, EGSA and Sigma Tau Delta at 7 p.m. Thursday at Poets, 1043 Johnston St.

            Deborah Burst will sign her latest book, “Spirits from the Bayou,” at 6 p.m. Thursday at the St. Tammany Parish Madisonville Library and from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Conundrum Bookstore in St. Francisville.

Cheré Coen is the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country.” She writes Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.