NOVEMBER 19, 2015

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Sharon Palmeri, Katherine Flotz, Beverly Stanislawski, Sharon Buckman, David Wilgus, Mary Ellen Beecher, Ruthann Graczyk

OLD BUSINESS:

A vote of approval for the November 5, 2015 minutes was first given by MARY ELLEN BEECHER and seconded by BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI.

LITERARY NEWS:

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI stated she had taken six awards for various poetry contests in Texas (she loves that state) and three poetry awards in Kentucky.  The first place awards were for “Metamorphosis,” “Stars Necklacing the Moon,” and “Endings and Beginnings.” She won third place for “Many Thanks,” sixth place for “A Day of Memories.”  “Barrel of Death” won her the tenth place.  In Kentucky she won second place for “Anyone for Stew?” and Honorable Mention for “Immeasurable” and “Ol’ Blue.”

READINGS:

RUTHANN GRACZYK (AKA ANNE HUNTER) read three pages of her children’s short story entitled, BEST-WORST CHRISTMAS EVER!   Susan felt cheated all her life because she had no brother, or sister, close to her own age (a younger brother had died at birth.)  Soon she began to realize that there were more important things to be concerned about, such as, her mother’s health.

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read her Vondelet Sonnet entitled, “METAMORPHOSIS,” the poem she had taken first  place in the Texas contest.  This poem compares life’s lesson, “She learned she’d have to crawl before she’d fly,” to a fuzzy caterpillar trying to make her way up a willow tree.

DAVE WILGUS continued with four pages of his novel, THE JOSHUA HENDERSON STORY.  In this part of the novel Chad and Cindy leave for the Cleveland Clinic to get Joshua’s liver evaluated.  Before leaving for the clinic Chad tried to find out the condition of his friend, Junior.  Guilt set in when he discovered the severe diagnosis of his friend, wishing he had accepted Junior’s invitation to stay with him at Dixie’s.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 P.M.

Respectfully submitted:

SHARON BUCKMAN

 

Just for fun. Have a great holiday season!

WritersMarket.com shows you How to Get a Book Published

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Sharon Palmeri, Beverly Stanislawski, Katherine Flotz, Sharon Buckman, George Miga, David Wilgus, Bob Philpot, Jackie Huppenthal, Mike Musak, Paul Mulligan, Amy Brailey, Mary Ellen Beecher, Luniel Morrow, Donna Eckelbarger, Adam Sedia

OLD BUSINESS:

A vote of approval for the October 15 meeting was first given by KATHERINE FLOTZ and seconded by BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI.

NEW BUSINESS:

SHARON PALMERI mentioned that today would be the last day payment for the Christmas Banquet on December 2 would be accepted; it appeared that approximately 30 people would be attending.

LITERARY NEWS:

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI mentioned that she had recently won awards in six different states.  In Indiana there were two honorable mentions for “Dreams Fulfilled” and “Beach Buddies.” In Reserve was “Young Love.” In Oklahoma she took 2^nd place for “Parents’ Lament” and 3^rd place for “Oft Go Astray” with an Honorable Mention for “Raisin’ a Ruckus.” In Illinois she took 3^rd Honorable Mention for “A Summer Love.” In Mid South Tennessee she took 2^nd place for “Heaven’s Host” and 3^rd Honorable Mention for “Loving You” (triolet).  In Florida she was given 3^rd place for “Reputation” and 2^nd and 3^rd Honorable Mention for “Dawson Blakely” and “St. Pat’s Tricks.”  In Minnesota she was given 2^nd Honorable Mention for “Just the Sound of It” and a Merit Award for “Popeye’s Power.”

JACKIE HUPPENTHAL mentioned that she had received an award from the Indiana State Poetry Club and an Honorable Mention from the Indiana Trails and Tales.  She also mentioned she will be having an article published in the Highlights Magazine.

GEORGE MIGA mentioned that he will be speaking on November 11^th at the Radisson in Merrillville for the Rotary Club.  His speech will concern his book, The Final Mission, Grant and Lee.  George was also made Commander at the American Legion in Munster.

READINGS:

DAVE WILGUS read four pages from his novel, The Joshua Henderson Story.  This part of his novel, taken from the near ending of Chapter 3, told of Chad being released from jail and returning back to work.  After leaving his friend, Junior, at a nearby bar, his friend is accosted by two strangers who insist on knowing Chad’s name.  After refusing to give it to them Junior is stabbed and left to fight for his life.

KATHERINE FLOTZ read her one page short story entitled, “A Senior Moment.”  Kathy’s story told of her recent senior moment when she decided to go shopping with her $15 gift card and ended up in Sam’s Club instead of Walmart by mistake.  After finally reaching the checkout counter she was told by the cashier that she would need a membership card to check out, of course she didn’t have one.  The nice lady, that had already let her go ahead in line, loaned Kathy hers.  

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read her eight-stanza couplet poem entitled, “My Kind of Town.”  As the title suggests, her poem was about Chicago and all its attributes, ending with, “Phoenix from her ashes, All cities, Chicago surpasses.”

PAUL MULLIGAN read four pages from his novel, Be Brave – Now Die.  In this final chapter of the book, Carl, Darlene and her friend, Brenda meet one night at a college hangout.  As they are enjoying the evening, Carl notices a man slip a date rape drug in Brenda’s drink.  After making the two girls leave the scene he “takes on” the man and his friend.

SHARON BUCKMAN read her one page article entitled, “Routines, Interruptions and a Flexible Mind.”  The article tries to describe the benefits of having a routine to manage various chores and how much faster they get accomplished, even with constant interruptions.

JACKIE HUPPENTHAL read her three-stanza quatrain poem for which she had received third Honorable Mention from the Indiana State Poetry Contest.  The poem, entitled “September Day at the Dunes,” told of the beauty she encountered while walking barefoot on the beach with “seagulls soaring in sapphire skies.”

DONNA ECKELBARGER read her one-page children’s story entitled, White and Black Animals in My Zoo.  The story told of Bella going to the zoo with her mother and noticing only the white and black animals, her favorite colors.  After seeing the various black and white animals, such as, a zebra, a cow, a lemur and orca whale, she tells the zoo goodbye, obviously not interested in any other animals.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 P.M.

Respectfully submitted:

SHARON BUCKMAN