MINUTES FOR JANUARY 5, 2011

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Sharon Jesik, Art Wilkerson, Jessica Bard, John Boufis, George Miga, Sharon Buckman, Beverly Stanislawski, Kathy Flotz, Sandra Nantais, Tom Spencer, Pam Gonzalez, Jackie Huppenthal, Sharon Palmeri, Laurie Chase, Kelly Chase

NEWS:
1. Tom Spencer stated that he has been busy writing since our last meeting. It was also brought to our attention that he is now a board member for the Indiana Writers Consortium.

2. Pam Gonzalez announced that she has made herself a New Year’s resolution. She intends to do more writing, which also includes having material to read at each of our WOH meetings.

3. Jackie Huppenthal has also made a New Year’s resolution to keep submitting entries into various contests she finds; she has already entered five this year. Jackie is now secretary/treasurer for the Indiana Writers Consortium.

4. Jessica Bard, a new member, is Art Wilkerson's granddaughter. She stated her writing preference is poems and short stories.

5. Art Wilkerson stated he is thinking of writing a book called "Total Destruction of Mankind by King Clutter." He also intends to do more writing.

6. Sharon Jesik has been busy making Christmas things for her grandchildren but now intends to devote more time to her writing.

7. Kathy Flotz received a call from a person representing the Beecher, Ill. Middle School in regards to trying to set up a speaking engagement concerning her book "Pebble in My Shoe." Kathy is now the Vice President of the Indiana Writers Consortium.

8. Sharon Palmeri has been enjoying her "home vacation" catching up on various chores she hasn't been able to get to due to her busy schedule. She is now a board member for Indiana Writers’ Consortium. She also thanked the members for the wonderful gift she received from them for Christmas.

9. Beverly Stanislawski hasn't been able to do much writing lately due to a problem with vertigo, probably caused from sinusitis, however, she finally heard from the Texas Poetry Society regarding her entry several months prior - she won an entry in their magazine.

10. Laurie Chase has also had a problem with writing lately; her mother and father have recently moved in with her and have been entered into the Hospice program. She has, however, started to re-write her book and has changed the title to "Badradin."

11. Sharon Buckman stated she had been ill during most of the Christmas vacation but is now starting to get back into writing again.

12. George Miga stated he has been given an incentive by the man who hired him to speak for the Purdue Crisis Management Program. After reading George's book "Medal of Dishonor," he advised him to keep on working on it, calling him several times and praising the book.

13. John Boufis has been re-evaluating his priorities; he has decided to try and reduce the stress in his life and devote more time to writing.

14. Kelly Chase just enjoyed her Christmas vacation, especially all the clothes she received which included a pair of cowboy boots.

15. Sandra Naintais also made a New Year’s resolution - to continue working with her father's old letters, always ending with SWAK (sealed with a kiss.)


2011 OFFICERS:

SharonPalmeri asked for nominations for new officers for this year. There were no takers. As a result the past year's officers were ratified to remain in place by unanimous agreement. Officers are Sharon Palmeri, President; Katherine Flotz, Vice President/treasurer, and Sharon Buckman, Secretary. All accepted serving in their offices.

READINGS:

SHARON JESIK continued with a few pages of her book "Corn Dancer." The friends of the deceased, Dotty, have finally reached Yan's home in the mountains and are seeking advice as to the appearances they have witnessed of their deceased friend.

JESSICA BARD read her four stanza poem "The Day Mercy Died." The poem, which has a line, "killing her killers, I tore off their wings," is left for the reader to do their own interpretation.

SHARON BUCKMAN continued with her book, "Canopy of Leaves." The story, nearing the end of the last chapter, tells of the young teen trying to stay ahead of her captor after her escape.

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read her comical four stanza poem, "Sock it to Me." It was a poem that everyone could relate to when trying to determine "what happened to the other sock?"

KATHY FLOTZ continued with her newest book, "The Journey." The story, which tells of a refugee mother and her two children hoping to come to the United States to visit the man they rescued during the Second World War and who is now pondering the decision as to what he will do with them.

SANDRA NANTAIS wrote a short story entitled, "Christmas Gathering 20l0." The story tells of all the good times her family had at their friend’s house and wondering what will happen now that the friend’s house will be bulldozed after they move.

TOM SPENCER wrote a three stanza poem entitled, "California's Careless Cavaliers," tells of the destruction caused by the Santa Anna Winds.

PAMELA GONZALEZ continued with her book, "Thokka." The book, a fantasy novel, tells of a beast called "Thorsulla," sailing through the air over a seacoast village and continuing with the average life of the villagers below.

JACKIE HUPPENTHAL read her six stanza poem, read from the bottom up, entitled "The Top." The poem, accompanied with pictures, told of the journey to the top of the very tall fire tower at the Tippecanoe River State Park in Indiana.

LAURIE CHASE continued with her newly re-written and re-titled book, "Badradin." The story involves the life of a female physician from a future planet who is half human and trying to adjust to the ship's life and environment she has been assigned to.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 P.M.

Respectfully submitted:
Sharon Buckman