February 9, 2023

 

 

 

 MEETING BEGAN:   at 5:21pm

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Al Koch, Diane Stratton, Katherine Flotz, Judy Neuman, Bob Neuman, Mike Musak, Cindy Horgash, Sharon Palmeri

 

 

 

 

OLD BUSINESS:  Al Koch and Katherine Flotz approved the minutes from January 26, 2023.

NEW BUSINESS:  None

READINGS:

In his story, “SHORELINE CHAUFFER”, AL KOCH shared his recollections of travel routines through the various life events he experienced in the Calumet Region of Indiana back from the 1940’s through the 1960’s.  He acknowledges being a grateful patron and conveys appreciation for the public chauffeurs who guided him and all the others to and from their destinations.

KATHERINE FLOTZ read the end of Chapter 1 and the beginning of Chapter 2 of her book, THE JOURNEY.   She described the traumatic experiences of a Mother and her two boys registering in Germany during the war, around December 1943.  It relates the story being told in detail by the Mother, (Martha), to her friend, Elsie.

The true-life story, “MISSY – THE SAILING DOG, 1989 – 2001”, was shared by SHARON PALMERI.  In it, she details how she adopted a new puppy from the humane society against her husband John’s wishes. After their previous dog, Wendy died, he didn’t ever want another painful loss.  She describes the endearing qualities and habits of their new dog, Missy, and how she grew to charm Sharon’s husband, John especially when she joined them in sailing on their boat.  The story continues through the years till a fateful event occurs with Missy and where an end leads to another beginning for Sharon and John.

CINDY HOGASH shared Chapter 2 of  MAGIC OF THE BLUE HOUR.  The title of the chapter is “Wallowing” and it tells of how a young boy, Jason, discovers a way from reality when he travels outside his body.  The account includes conversations Jason shares with his Grandpa and the emotions that were evoked from this travel experience and separation.

MIKE MUSAK presented the written dialogue of his stand-up comedy routine entitled “HOLY CRAP”.

This was the humorous account of thoughts and comments invoked from a hallucination with a dog and the outcome produced.

“STAYING ALIVE” is the title of the mirthful reflection by BOB NEUMAN regarding selections in a book he had purchased at a thrift store involving advice on surviving a wide variety of extreme and unusual situations.

DIANE STRATTON read her article “FLIP SOME GOOD FROM COVID SOLITUDE” which resulted from her examining her address book during the Covid pandemic.  It was through this period of isolation that she realized that there were many friends she had not been in contact with for some time.  This brought the thought and advice of “flipping” the negative situation of the isolation and using it to reach out to others and brighten the situation for both yourself and your out-of-touch friends, bringing warmth and light resulting in good feelings of care in reconnection.

MEETING ADJOURNED:  At 7:20 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Diane Stratton

 

 

 

January 26, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharon Buckman, Beverly Stanislawski, Ruthann Graczyk, Al  Koch, Katherine Flotz, Diane Stratton, Amy Brailey, Mike Musak, Bob Neuman,  Judy Neuman,  and Cindy Horgash

NEW NEWS: Dues collected. Minutes read and approved, Amy Brailey and Kathy Flotz.

 

 

 

 

 

READINGS:

CINDY HOGASH read from her children’s book, This Thing Called Spring, which is about a lowly scarecrow that searches for spring.

SHARON BUCKMAN offered a true story, “Danny Be Good.” This was about ‘s “Pulling Sa happening to Sharon’s daughter and her autistic grandson in a Walmart.

DIANE STRATTON brought “Fast or Slow…Which Way to Go?” showing a competition between a 2^nd grade gym class, raising funds to benefit a fellow student. The unlikely results surprisingly brought unity and happiness for all.

AMY BRAILEY had another of her “finish the ending” stories, “Not What They Seem.” A young girl interrupts a mystery operation.

AL KOCH read “Time to Heal.” It showed suggestion to resolve human divisiveness and the price of heal.

KATHERING FLOTZ presented a preface and part of Chapter 1 of her book The Journey. This story is an example of the happenings after the war years. Except for fictional names, it can be considered an historical account of a poverty-stricken and homeless people.

MIKE MUSAK presented his experience and advice for retirement in “Retirement.”

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI  read her short story, “The Richest Man.” It showed that the wealthiest man was not always the winner in the battle of life.

RUTHANN GRACZYK told of “Teamwork” where two strangers come together one evening to successfully rescue a pair of baby raccoons from the roadway.

JUDY NEUMAN sang three songs: “Counting Song,” “To Bed We Go,” and Yellow Jammies.”  She sang these to her two daughters at bedtime.

BOB NEUMAN’s “ Pulling Strings” told of  a four-year-old grandson’s interaction with his grandmother. One encounter taught him that pulling stings is not always bad.

MEETING ADJOURNED  at 7:10 p.m

 

Respectfully submitted,

Beverly Stanislawski