OCTOBER 15, 2014

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Sharon Palmeri, Beverly Stanislawski, Katherine Flotz, Sharon Buckman, Bob Moulesong, Tom Spencer, Suzy Stueben, Paul Mulligan, Ruthann Graczyk, Sharon Dorelli, Donna Douglass, Mike Musak, Marjorie Peterson

GUESTS PRESENT:

Kay Depel  (with Tom)

NEW BUSINESS:

SUZIE STUEBEN introduced a discussion on the possibility of using Skype for members not able to attend the meetings. 

TOM SPENCER related his concerns on how Skype might limit member attendance. 

BOB MOULESONG mentioned the possible tech problems (Internet access) that would be involved with Skype, as well as the security of the members’ works. 

 *It was decided that this discussion on Skype should wait til next year.

SHARON PALMERI asked members if they were interested in having a special meeting on the 5^th Wednesday of this month.  The special meeting would involve a discussion on publishing, P.O.D. publishing and promotions.  A show of hands revealed several of the members were interested,  but after conferring with Chapel Lawn it was discovered that the room was not available for that evening.

LITERARY NEWS:

MARJORIE PETERSON shared information with the members on a website where screenplay writers will get weekly tips on companies seeking scripts in various genres. The site states that “producers have made more than 200 movies from writers and scripts they found on this site.” Registration is free, but there are fees for “premium services.” You may find the site at Inktip.com.

READINGS:

DONNA DOUGLASS read her four page memoir entitled, “Intersection.”  On a mini-vacation to Thomas Jefferson’s home in Monticello, Virginia, Donna witnesses a horrible accident at a gas station while eating lunch.  She is able to help a victim until the paramedics arrive, but the day’s experience destroys the pleasure of her trip.

TOM SPENCER brought his seven stanza poem entitled, “Dead Clichés.”  The poem relates to the arrogance of a young poet and the often misused words he chose to use, but later learning his lesson well. 

BOB MOULESONG continued with his short story entitled “Flower Moon.”  Rhonda, described as a mousy, boring young woman, had received flowers at work from a secret admirer.  In this continued version she receives more flowers, transforming her into a “giggling flirtatious woman” as she tries to imagine who sent them.

KATHERINE FLOTZ read her free verse, beautiful poem entitled, “And the Lord Said.”  Without mentioning his name, the members recognized the poem concerned her deceased husband, George, a man we all knew and admired.

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read three of her prize winning poems.  The first, a haiku poem beginning with Valley Marigolds, took second place in a Massachusetts contest.  The second, “Winter Surprises,” took third place in a Michigan contest and beautifully described winter as “covering like a lacy tablecloth.”  The third poem took third place in an Illinois contest and was entitled, “Poop Scoop,” a comical poem relating to a scheduled colonoscopy.

PAUL MULLIGAN  read two poems,  the first entitled “Precious” told of love being a very precious gift.  The second, entitled “Not the Only One,” was also written about a love and the hope of putting it to song, ending with, “And I ain’t the only one.”

MIKE MUSAK continued with his novel entitled, Habits Change.  In this continued version, Michelle, while walking home from school, was approached by a friend of the boy that had raped her following a prom date.  The family friend tried to convince her that she had been wrong about her accusation against Tom.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted:

SHARON BUCKMAN