March 1, 2018

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Sharon Palmeri, Michael Bednarczyk, Amy Clites, Al Koch, Bob Philpot, Katherine Flotz, Rebecca Juergens, Amy Brailey, Ruthann Craczyk, Caren Von See, Hayley Hardin, Hardarshan Valia 

EDUCATION PROGRAM: 

"Online Editing Tools"

REBECCA  JUERGENS  opened the program by passing out a few pages about Online Editing Tools (tips and trick for editing programs) available via Grammarly, ProWritingAid, and AutoCrit. Rebecca also shared a few of the pages offered via Grammarly: 1. Online Profile, and 2. Weekly Email Reports. She provided the list of the five step process for setting one’s writing parameters in MS Word and recommended the following books:  The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White; The Chicago Manual of Style—The Essential Guide for Writers, Editors, and Publishers; and Stephen King on Writing, which Rebecca highly  recommended.

A brief discussion followed with members expressing opinions on their preferred program.

READINGS:

AMY CLITES read two pages of her powerful screen play “Salan A Dance, written in Tetra Lela.” None of the characters said a single word, but their movement, and attention on the bed, which was the focal point of the stage, represented safety and a refuge. The description of the scene built in intensity with every written word. The pictures and emotions were incredibly strong.

MICHAEL BEDNARCZYK read the lines from his children’s book, which he has temporarily named, "The Rainbow Painter." Colors were vividly relayed through the travels of Painter Porcupine the animal characters in his story. Once all his colors were collected and stored in jars, he was finally able to paint his rainbow.

AL KOCH’S shared his article called, “Thoughts.” Al pondered why it is that people do not understand how thoughts are formed through the electro-chemical reaction within the brain. What we do know; however, is that thoughts come through the arrangement of ideas, which result in the process called thinking. The input for this process is driven by our senses: sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feelings. Via this process, we pass along knowledge learned through experiences. Al recommended that we talk, listen, and should be good to one another by celebrating, appreciating and sharing the personal thoughtful gifts each of us has within our heart and mind.

KATHERINE FLOTZ With US immigration's laws being reconsidered these days, Katherine shared memories about her grandmother’s visit to America. She came to the State in 1958 after the birth of her grandson, Peter. Katherine told of the struggles they went through, which ultimately made them seek the help of a Senator in North Dakota. The Senator introduced a bill, which was ultimately signed into law when Dwight D. Eisenhower sighed the bill. Their grandmother was able to live in the US for fifteen years and taught her grandchildren German as their first language.

CAREN VON SEE used the following W.O.H. group page prompt for this story:“You’ve been able to read minds since you turned seven. Mostly you watch people’s thoughts passively and undetected, but one day someone talks back.”

This short story is titled, "One Day Someone Talked Back.” The story, which follows, is a conversation between two individuals. One who is clairaudient and the other, who is clairsentient. Neither of which is agreeable to being in the other’s head.

AMY BRAILEY read two short stories, “Mind Games”, and “The Chase.” Both stories will eventually become part of her book of prompts to help instructors teach children how to write in school.

Mind Games – (also based on the same W.O.H  group page prompt that Caren Von See used. See above.)  This is a story about lessons a young man learned in life – The first lesson starts with the young man celebrating his seventh birthday when d he learns that his family is moving. The second lesson comes when he learns about the cruelty of how his “so-called” friends perceive him. When a new student joins their class, opinions are instantly formed and they read each other’s minds.

The Chase– is a tale of revenge, Kara, and Oliver who are trying to escape the wrath of Charles Bagheera. Oliver, when he sees, Bagheera’s taillights, thinks and suggests that they are out of danger. Kara disagrees. As it turns out, Oliver’s father not only double crossed Bagheera, but was also involved in a betrayal and the murder of a girl whom Bagheera cared about.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted:

CAREN VON SEE