Sunday, February 4, 2018

'Fragile Grounds' by Manhein, Schexnayder, examines loss of cemeteries with south Louisiana coastal land loss

Coastal land loss in Louisiana is staggering, about 34 square miles per year for the last 50 years. At the rate it’s going, an area the size of the Washington, D.C.-Baltimore area could disappear in the next 50 years. In addition to the impact land loss has on Louisiana’s people and businesses, at risk here is the state’s culture and traditions. Jessica H. Schexnayder and Mary H. Manhein examine the loss of South Louisiana cemeteries and the impact of their demise on communities in “Fragile Grounds: Louisiana’s Endangered Cemeteries,” published by the University Press of Mississippi.

“Cemeteries associated with Louisiana’s cultural groups provide valuable insight into the past and present identities of these communities,” the authors write in the book’s preface. “Family names on headstones reflect migration patterns across the coastal zone, representing ethnicities from throughout the world. No other state can avow such a ‘gumbo’ of cultures.”

The authors document how land loss has affected communities, how Louisiana’s coastal zone has been enlarged as the Gulf edges closer and efforts enacted to help preserve these cemeteries. The book also includes south Louisiana burial customs and traditions, from explaining the different ways the dead are buried in unique traditions such as All Saints. The examination of several cemeteries in 24 parishes makes up the bulk of the book, including many disturbed by rising waters and storms. They range from famous New Orleans cemeteries such as St. Louis I to Leeville/Lafont Cemetery, where a concrete slab has been poured over graves to keep them from washing away.

Schexnayder’s writing and photography have been published in numerous magazines and Manhein is a multi-published author, including “The Bone Lady: Life as a Forensic Anthropologist.” Manehin is the retired director of the Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services (FACES) Lab at LSU.

New releases
Ashley Baggett, assistant professor of history at North Dakota State University, has published “Intimate Partner Violence in New Orleans: Gender, Race, and Reform, 1840-1900,” by the University of Mississippi Press. Elizabeth Pleck, professor of history emerita at the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign, wrote of the book: “This important, highly original contribution to southern history reveals yet another ugly feature of Jim Crow: it cut short a brief period of reform about domestic violence.”


Jahi Mackey, a south Louisiana native who’s lived in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, has published “Struggles of a Wonderful Person: A Poetic Pilgrimage,” a collection of poems that highlight a journey he took to find belonging, liberation and healing. Mackey is the founder and program director of The 821 Project, an organization that promotes global citizenship in South Louisiana through social justice and intercultural education programming. For more information, visit www.jahimackey.com.

Mandy Mikulencak, author of award-winning young adult and adult fiction, sets her latest novel in 1950s Louisiana. “The Last Suppers” focuses around Ginny Polk, a prison cook who prepares the last meals for those on death row. The dinners are her way of honoring the men’s humanity, showing some compassion in their final hours. But when Ginny stumbles upon information about the man executed for killing her father, it leads to a series of dark and painful revelations.

At the library
The Center for Louisiana Studies at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette launches its fifth season of Bayou State Book Talks at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Lafayette Main Library. Admission is free and open to the public. Mathé Allain, Barry Jean Ancelet, Tamara Lindner and May Rush Gwin Waggoner will discuss their latest book, “Anthologie de la littérature louisianaise d'expression française de 1682 à  nos jours.” The authors will offer an overview of French language literature in Louisiana, from the early historical writings of the colony to the re-emergence of a francophone culture beginning in the second half of the 20th century following the restoration of the teaching of French. This collection covers more than three centuries of French writings in Louisiana, as well as a transcription of the oral traditions of the Cajuns and Creoles of Louisiana. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Lafayette Reads Together continues with a film screening of “Louder Than a Bomb,” in which four Chicago-area high school poetry slam teams compete in the world’s largest youth poetry festival. The screening begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday at South Regional Library.

Homeschool Hangout, an afternoon of learning stations for homeschooling families revolving around different themes, will look at Health and Human Biology at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Main Library.

Book events
Tyler Bridges, co-author of a new book titled “Long Shot,” will speak about the 2015 Louisiana gubernatorial race at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the East Bank Regional Library, Metairie. “Long Shot” is the story of Louisiana’s 2015 race for governor and the victory of John Bel Edwards over Sen. David Vitter. Bridges and Jeremy Alford, two veteran political reporters in Louisiana, take readers into the inner workings of the Edwards and Vitter campaigns.

Whole Foods Market in Lafayette presents Alycat’s Valentine’s Adventure from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11. The free event features storytime by Alysson Foti Bourque, author of “The Alycat Series;” sweet treats with Carmichael’s Honey; scavenger hunt and giveaways by Lafayette Moms Blog; activities provided by The Little Gym of Lafayette, love songs provided by local talent and photo booth opportunities by Rachel L. Blanchard Photography. The event requires a RSVP; sign up on the Eventbrite link on the World Foods Facebook event page or at Whole Foods Market Guest Services Desk at the Ambassador Caffery location.



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Chere Coen is the author of several Louisiana non-fiction books and the Viola Valentine Louisiana paranormal mystery series under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.

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