MINUTES FOR JUNE 1, 2011

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Kathy Flotz, Cathy Dziubla, Sharon Jesik, George Miga, Sharon Buckman, Neil Bedeker, Jessica Bard, Jane Burns, Pamela Gonzalez, Tom Spencer, Sandra Nantais

GUESTS PRESENT: Donna Douglass

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Katherine Flotz stated that Laurie Chase was hospitalized this past week for heart problems. Laurie has also lost both of her parents within the past two months. Our hearts go out to her and Kelly during this difficult time. Kathy also reminded us of the picnic, hosted by Tom Spencer for the Indiana Writers' Consortium, on June 25th.

NEWS:

1. KATHY FLOTZ told us of her speaking engagement at Beecher Junior High School in May and its wonderful outcome. The story was posted in the Beecher Herald and one of its readers remembered a story her mother had told who had a similar experience in Germany. Kathy and the mother will be having lunch together on Friday.

2. CATHY DZIUBLA stated that she recently finished her book, "Sean O'Hara and the Leprechauns."

3. SHARON JESIK stated she has a friend that has been working with her on trying to find an agent.

4. JANE BURNS has been busy writing poetry and investigating her new interest in film making.

5. PAMELA GONZALEZ stated she hasn't had much time lately for writing due to her very busy schedule at home and work.

6. TOM SPENCER stated the State Federation of Poetry meeting went very well and the Lowell High School did a superb job with their Shakespearean play. He also reminded us to bring $5.00 when coming to the June 25th picnic at his house.

7. SANDY NANTAIS stated she enjoyed the spring poetry meeting but wished she had been invite to read her poetry. She also stated she is joining with Tom in volunteering with the public school system for poetry awareness in the lower grades.

8. DONNA DOUGLASS has been busy writing her memoirs and intends to read one of them at tonight’s meeting.

9. GEORGE MIGA is still working on editing his book, "Medal of Dishonor."

10. SHARON BUCKMAN stated she has added another chapter to her book, "Canopy of Leaves."

11. NEIL BEDEKER stated he hasn't been able to do much writing lately due to a computer virus.

12. JESSICA BARD has been busy working on her newest poem, "In The Wake."

READINGS:

CATHY DZIUBLA read a very cute short article entitled, "I Don't Like Pancakes Anymore." It started off with the sudden discovery she no longer liked pancakes or waffles, instead she opted for a "thick slab of cold meatloaf along with some green olives stuffed with garlic on the side." Oh well...

SHARON JESIK continued reading her novel, "Corn Dancer." In this part of the story the friends of deceased Doty discuss their ideas of who her killer might be.

JANE BURNS read her eleven stanza gothic poem entitled, "The Secret Lies with Charlotte." The poem tells of a girl named Charlotte hiding in the nighttime silence of the library and ends with the destruction of the library (and Charlotte) caused by fire.

TOM SPENCER brought his sonnet entitled, "From the Wounds of Time." The four stanza poem relates the uselessness of mourning death instead of enjoying life.

DONNA DOUGLASS read her recent memoir concerning her heartbreaking divorce several years prior. The memoir, entitled "A Late Lunch," told of how she had met her husband of thirty years and how much she had loved him, despite their opposite personalities.

GEORGE MIGA continued with his novel, "Medal of Dishonor." In this part of his novel he told of McCall's relationship with a newspaper journalist who was working on the Cordell Jackson story. She and McCall discuss the shooting as well as McCall's problems with his son.

JESSICA BARD read her six stanza form poem entitled, "In The Wake." The poem relates the useless feeling of the poet as "The world meets in a senseless time of twilight."

SHARON BUCKMAN introduced a new character into her book entitled, Canopy of Leaves." This part of the story told of Tom's father, whom he hadn't seen since childhood, coming back to the area. The chapter ends with the murder of the father.

SANDY NANTAIS read her two page poem (prose) entitled, "Stray Pit." The poem tells of a runaway Pit Bull following her home and her fear of him even though the gentle dog seemed very lovable.

KATHY FLOTZ continued with her novel, "The Journey." In this part of her novel she tells of Martha Brenner and her family coming to America from war torn Germany in l949. She and her family find the Wilson family very hospitable and seem to enjoy their new lives.

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

Respectfully submitted:

Sharon Buckman