Southeastern graduate pens book, schedules booksigning
Friday, March 20, 2015
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – Katie Wainwright, a 1976 Southeastern Louisiana University graduate with a bachelor's degree in elementary education, recently published a novel titled "Pohainake Parish." Wainwright will be available for a booksigning at the Southeastern Bookstore on Thursday, March 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
According to the book jacket, "Pohainake Parish" is the story of Hannah Kelly, a divorced mother of two teenagers, who gets elected to the bankrupt Pohainake Parish Council. The former housewife, who spent her days baking cookies, running carpools and attending PTA meetings, is soon overwhelmed by the problems and decisions the council must make.
Occupying the chair next to hers is Captain William Fleming, fortyish, single, handsome, a playboy who ran for office on a dare, never expecting to win. As the council members deal with jails, escaped convicts, piled up garbage, disintegrating roads, and lack of resources, Hannah's serious attitude clashes with Captain Fleming's devil-may-care stance.
The conflict between them escalates to the breaking point. Hannah's heroic attempts to comply with the demands of public office, while at the same time striving to maintain a stable family life, are the familiar struggles politicians face daily. Tempered with southern humor, the sad truths of ignorance, inefficiency, graft, nepotism and other woes of governing are exposed.
Anyone who has been elected or is considering a political run would profit greatly from Hannah's story. From side-splitting funny tales to troublesome and tragic incidents, presiding over a small Louisiana parish is a condensed version of what happens at every level of government, from local to national.
"Pohainake Parish" is available at the Southeastern Bookstore and other retailers. For more information, contact the bookstore at (985) 549-5393.
