Author to sign Ste. Genevieve guide book

JACKSON, Mo. -- Former Cape Girardeau resident Mark Evans will sign copies of "The Commandant's Last Ride," his guide book to historic Ste. Genevieve houses, on Sunday, Dec. 16.

The book signing will be from 1-3 p.m. at Trisha's Bed and Breakfast, 203 S. Bellevue.

Evans is donating $2 of each book's $9.95 price to the Jackson Heritage Association.

A former editor of the Southeast Missourian's Jackson USA publication, Evans is pursuing a graduate degree in history at Southeast and is working as a free-lance writer.

The title of "The Commandant's Last Ride" refers to the book's fictional narrative in which Jean Baptist Valle, the last colonial commandant of Ste. Genevieve, takes a final sentimental buggy ride around the village before his death in 1849. Through the narrator's reflections on the changes he has seen, the book brings readers to the present with a current map and information about historic buildings.

Evans currently is at work on a coffee table book about Old St. Vincent's Church and its parish in Cape Girardeau.

The Ste. Genevieve book is also available at Amazon.com or by sending a check or money order to: Mark L. Evans, P.O. Box 149, Ste. Genevieve, Mo. 67670. Include $4 shipping and handling for the first book and $1 for each additional book.

Evans can be contacted at mlevans@brick.net.