WHAT A SUCCESS! THE PERCY DINNER!

CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF WALKER PERCY DINNER

  The March 6 dinner at Keith Young's Steak House to celebrate the legacy of the acclaimed writer Walker Percy was a stunning success. The Foundation had the maximum number of guests that could be accommodated.  The food was superb, as well as the guest speaker,  Lt. Governor, Jay Dardenne.

Lt. Governor Dardenne, always a captivating raconteur, told the story of Louisiana from Poverty Point to the present, speaking of its rich heritage of blended cultures, and quoting from Percy's books to illustrate the uniqueness of our state.  The Lt. Governor's office's is in charge of Culture, Tourism, and Recreation - and our state could not have anyone who could know and love our state and its people more.

The Foundation was ecstatic to have the daughters of Walker Percy attend the event.  Ann Moores, her husband David, and her husband John traveled from Texas to be there.  Her son, Dr. David Moores, and his wife Celeste accompanied his parents. Ann was once the owner of the charming bookstore, the Kumquat, on Lee Lane.   Mary Pratt Lobdell, Percy's oldest daughter, and a St. Tammany public school teacher, was accompanied by her son, John Walker Lobdell.  The daughters only regretted that their mother was not there to share their joy.  Mrs. Percy, known affectionately as Bunt, died the past year.

Many dignataries attended.  Among those who attended were Secretary of State Tom Schedler and his wife Stephanie, State Representative John Schroder, Charles C. Fot, former Attorney General of Louisiana, and St. Tammany Mayors Mike Cooper of Covington, Peter Gitz of Madisonville, and Donald Villere of Mandeville. Also present were Lane Carson, Director of the LA Department of Veterans Affairs and a former State Representative and his wife Laura, Susan Strain representing her husband Mike Strain, Commissioner of Agriculture.  Eric Skrmetta, member of the Public Service Commission, was not able to attend but a member of his staff represented his office.

Dr. Morgan was pleased to also recognize two of the architects who designed the new library and the Walker Parker Circle - Billy Sizeler and John Owens.  The St. Tammany Library Foundation's first benefactors, Lewis Kahn, Mihael Swick and Charles Foti of the law firm KSF were honored.  Benefactors and Sustaining members, prominent attendees, and members of the STLF were feted at a wine reception prior to the dinner.

At the evening, the Foundation launched its drive to sell laser engraved pavers for both the pathway to the library and for the Percy Circle.  Pathway bricks will cost $ 50.00.  Bricks for the Circle run from $ 250.00 $ 150.00 and $ 100.00.  The donor can chose to honor loved ones, beloved mentors, their church or school, business establishment, authors, artists, and musicians.

Energy, enthusiasm, and commitment radiated from those who attended the stellar evening.
It was a splendid event, enjoyed by all. 

 All photos taken by Carrie Lee Pierson Schwartz

LOYOLA DONATES FIRST BOOK FOR WALKER PERCY READING ROOM

WALKER PERCY CENTER AT LOYOLA UNIVERSITY DONATES FIRST BOOK FOR THE WALKER PERCY READING ROOM AT THE MADISONVILLE BRANCH

In honor the memory and achievements of the prominent American author, Loyola University of New Orleans established The Walker Percy Center for Writing and Publishing.  The purpose of the center is to foster literary talent and to underscore the vital role that writing plays in education and in life. 

Dr. Mary A. McCay, the Director of the Center, met with Dr. Argiro Morgan, President of the St. Tammany Library Foundation, and contributed the first book for the Walker Percy Reading Room planned for the  St. Tammany Library under construction in Madisonville.  The book, compiled by Linda Whitney Hobson, is Walker Percy: A Comprehensive Descriptive Bibliography, published by the Faust Publishing Company in 1988.  It is not merely the first book in the Walker Percy Reading Room.  It will be a valuable research tool for the purchase of materials for the collection, as well as for patrons who wish to study Percy's writing in depth.

Loyola is also hosting its second biennial Walker Percy Conference to be held on its campus on October 11-13:  STILL LOST IN THE COSMOS:  Walker Percy and the 21st Century.  Visit www.loyno.edu/wpc for information on the conference and/or to submit a paper to be read at the conference.

Thank you, Dr. McCay, for your generous gift.  We appreciate it and will continue to have a cooperative interaction with the Center you are chairing.