MEMBERS PRESENT:
Beverly Stanislawski, Sharon Buckman, Sharon Palmeri, Diane Stratton, Katherine Flotz, Cindy Horgash, Mike Musak, Ruthann Graczyk, Gail Galvan
OLD BUSINESS:
Katherine Foltz and Beverly Stanislawski approved the October 13, 2022, meeting minutes.
NEW BUSINESS:
Teibels Restaurant (Schererville, IN) was chosen for the Christmas party on December 7, 2022, at 6:00 pm. A Tiebels gift card will be given to each paid-up WOH member (only) who attends. Sharon Palmeri will send information to members to register in advance. A count of members and their guests will be taken at our next meeting on Thur., November 10th.
Members also discussed how much they liked the Bulldog Park facility for their meeting. it was suggested that coffee be supplied at the next meeting on November 10th.
Reminder: On Thurs., November 10th, we have invited author MARK MARIMEN (Pastor Mark Wilkins) to speak at our WOH meeting. He will explain how he compiled and published the stories and legends for his Haunted Indiana Book Series, Vol. 1-4, Weird Indiana, and Haunted Travels of Indiana.
LITERARY NEWS:
BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI stated that her poem “Bubblicious” won 1st Place, with two other poems winning 3 Honorable Mentions in a 2022 Florida poetry contest. AL KOCH’s article “Hands of Character” was published in The Times newspaper Forum section on October 16. KATHERINE FLOTZ announced she has a speaking engagement on November 8th at 10:30 am at Life Point Church (Pastor Bob Neuman’s church). CINDY HORGASH announced her book signing on November 19th at Kolas Christian Bookstore (Highland, IN) from 10:00-noon for her “Underfoot” story in Chicken Soup for the Soul book.
READINGS:
BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read four poems, three of which won her the previous prizes mentioned above. The first, “Bubblicious,” tells a man’s battle with blowing bubbles. The second, “Mac and Cheese,” tells of her love for her favorite dish. Third, “A Slice of Pie “ is a minute poem about death getting a slice of life’s pie. Fourth, “Beware the Baba Yaga,” tells about the danger of little children around witches.
CINDY HORGASH read two pages of her short story, “Day-O.” This story tells of the unexplainable knowing and premonitions that surrounded her mother’s death, allowing her to be present to see her mom’s spirit pass from this life to the next.
RUTHANN TODHUNTER GRACZK read two pages from the first chapter of her YA novel “Dawn of a New Day.” The novel is about a troubled girl who finds herself falling for a stranger that unexpectedly enters her life.
MIKE MUSAK read two pages from what may or may not be part of a screenplay or novel. “The Bank Job,” tells of a stand-off between the bank manager who refuses to open the bank’s vault while the gang members threaten to take one life at a time until he does. It comes down to who has the last bluff!
SHARON PALMERI read part one of her memoir, “When Doves Cry.” The first chapter, titled The Big Scare (May 1986), tells of the dreams she began having after leaving the nursing program for education. Her dreams of dead relatives and her deceased mother’s warning to “Check your breasts” led Sharon to new discoveries.
DIANE STRATTON read two pages of her short story titled “Mercy.” This true story details the kindness and generosity of friends who reach out individually to help a mutual friend overwhelmed with discouraging troubles. The results stack up to be an inspirational lesson for all of us.
Respectfully Submitted:
CINDY HORGASH
