Sasseville, Alzheimer honored posthumously at state Book Awards

ST. PAUL (AP) -- Jolie Lynne Sasseville and James Drey Alzheimer, founders of Stone House Press, were honored posthumously for their contributions to the Minnesota book community.

Relatives of Sasseville and Alzheimer accepted the Kay Sexton Award on their behalf at the 13th annual Minnesota Book Awards program Friday at the Fitzgerald Theater.

Sasseville and Alzheimer, along with Sasseville's daughter, Chelsea, died Nov. 25 in a car accident near their Richville home in Otter Tail County. The two were founders of Stone House Press, a nonprofit publishing company that promoted the works of regional writing.

Alzheimer also recently published his own inspirational book on fighting depression, "The Possibility of Joy." Most recently, Sasseville was executive director of the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center. The two were married in July 1999.

Also at the award program, former Minnesota Gov. Elmer L. Andersen received an Honor Award for his memoir "A Man's Reach," edited by Lori Sturdevant. The memoir was recognized as an important work in the retelling of extraordinary moments in the private and public life of Minnesota's leading citizen.

Other writers and artists honored were:

-- Anthology and Collections: "Visiting Emily: Poems Inspired by the Life and Work of Emily Dickinson," edited by Sheila Coghill, of Moorhead, and Thom Tammaro, of Moorhead. (University of Iowa Press).

-- Autobiography and Memoir: "Packinghouse Daughter: A Memoir," by Cheri Register, of Minneapolis. (Minnesota Historical Society Press).

-- Children: "The Hunter," by Mary Casanova of Ranier, and illustrated by Ed Young, of New York. (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing).

-- Fine Press: "The Summer House," by Patricia Hampl, of St. Paul, and artists Harold Kyle, of Minneapolis, Michael Lizama, of Minneapolis, and Mary Jo Pauly, of Jordan. (Minnesota Center for Book Arts).

-- History and Biography: "The Haymakers: A Chronicle of Five Farm Families," by Steven R. Hoffbeck, of Barnesville. (Minnesota Historical Society Press).

-- Nature and Minnesota: "Wild Rice Cooking: History, Natural History, Harvesting, and Lore," by Susan Carol Hauser, of Puposky. (Lyons Press).

-- Novel and Short Story: "Shadowy Baby," by Alison McGhee, of Minneapolis. (Harmony Books/The Crown Publishing Group).

-- Poetry: "Turtle Pictures," by Ray Gonzalez, of Farmington. (University of Arizona Press).

-- Popular Fiction: "Dark Coulee," by Mary Logue, of Stockholm, Wis. (Walker and Company).

-- Young Adult: "Curse of a Winter Moon," by Mary Casanova, of Ranier. (Hyperion Books for Children)