May 22, 2025

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Beverly Biehr, Amy Brailey, Sharon Buckman, Katherine Flotz, Shirley Hinman, Cindy Horgash, Al Koch, Karen Lauper, Bob Neuman, Judy Neuman, Diane Stratton, Chris Hasara

OLD BUSINESS:

Six WOH members attended Trent Pendley’s presentation of Erma Rosenthal Frankenstein’s book at the Valparaiso Public Library on May 8, 2025.

NEW BUSINESS:

June 10, 2025, the WOH summer schedule begins with meetings to be held on Tuesdays from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday meetings will continue through September 23, 2025, at the Bulldog Park building in Crown Point, IN. Meetings will return to Thursday evenings on October 16, 2025.

Diane Stratton (V. Pres.) shared information on Cedar Lake becoming Indiana’s First Heart & Soul Community from the Lake County Legacy Foundation. They are kicking off a volunteer training session, and if interested, you can contact www.cedarlakeheart.org.

Amy Brailey (Pres.) recommended that members who are reading bring 10 copies to share. If more are in attendance, we will share copies.

Cindy Horgash asked if any members would be interested in becoming a 4-H judge for Creative Writing at the 2025 Lake County Fair on July 15^th from 5:30-6:30 pm. They do pay a small stipend for the position.

LITERARY NEWS:

Amy Brailey’s newest book, “Don’t Leave Me Hanging,” is now available. It is a collection of 39 short stories in which the reader must choose their own ending.

READINGS:

SHYANNE HICKS, ISABELLE FLORES, LILLY KROLEDGE, VERONICA SANCHEZ, DESTINY GATES, ITALIANA FOLEY, and MADDY SOLORIO are students from Edison Jr./Sr. High School. Each read their short story or poem published in their new book, “Gallery of Visions.”

AL KOCH read his short story “Kids, Crayolas, and Lunch Bags,” about the fringe benefits of parenting—nourishment for the mind, heart, body, and spirit.

BOB NEUMAN read his non-fiction story, “How Would You Have Answered?” This is a pastoral anecdote about a little boy with a broken arm.

JUDY NEUMAN read a personal account, “Safely Home!” of her diary entry the day her mother died on June 3, 1955.

SHIRLEY HINMAN read her poem, “A Main Character,” about a faith-filled task of being the first by becoming the last.

KAREN LAUPER read her descriptive essay “The Toddler,” highlighting the observations of a lively, curious toddler exploring nature. The watcher noted the toddler's innocence and enthusiasm, while warming the person’s heart.

“Procrastinate-Not Me-Much” is a lesson on why you should not procrastinate, written by an embarrassed mother, SHARON BUCKMAN.

CHRIS HASARA read his limerick poem “Decoration Day,” weighing the memories of military service while still serving in his apron.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.

Respectfully Submitted:

CINDY HORGASH 

May 8, 2025

 MEMBERS PRESENT:

Amy Brailey, Katherine Flotz, Ruthann Graczyk, Cindy Horgash, Al Koch, Karen Lauper, Bob Neuman, Judy Neuman, Sharon Palmeri,Trent Pendley, Bev Stanislawski, Diane Stratton, Becky Hegarty, Chris Hasara

OLD BUSINESS:

Amy Brailey reminded members that W.O.H. will host a table at the Creative Arts Summit at the Lake County Reference Library on May 31, 2025, from 12:00-4:00 pm. Members volunteering to work at the table are Beverly Biehr, Katherine Flotz, Cindy Horgash, Ruthann Graczyk, Bob and Judy Neuman, Sharon Palmeri, and Diane Stratton. Set-up begins at 11:00 am, and all members are welcome to have books sold at the table.

NEW BUSINESS:

The Neumans introduced their guest, Becky Hegarty.

LITERARY NEWS:

Diane Stratton discussed the Indiana Extension Homemakers’ Association’s request for Katherine Flotz’s book “A Pebble in My Shoe.” Her book will be submitted for review at their next meeting in Schererville, IN.

READINGS:

Beverly Stanislawski read her short story “Birds of a Feather.” The birds learn a lesson in being kind to those different from them.

TRENT D. PENDLEY read the opening pages from his historical fiction, “It Happened in the Indiana Dunes.” This excerpt chronicles the COVID pandemic and the immediate aftermath of the 2020 national election. The Franklin brothers self-quarantine at Brighton House during the holidays in their hometown on the Indiana Landmark Foundation’s list.

CINDY HORGASH read her children’s story, “Little Bits of Heaven,” for critique before entering the Writers’ Digest contest. It is a fictional story of a grandma’s gift to share with her granddaughter the bits of heaven that surround us every day.  

BOB NEUMAN read his non-fictional account of Bob and Judy’s first date titled “Matchmaker.”

“My Dysfunctional Family” was written by NATALIE NEUMAN, the older daughter of Bob and Judy Neuman. Judy read the article required by Natalie’s literature class in the 1980’s. This is a tongue-in-cheek story about the horrible truth that her parents were still married while her friends flitted across the country to visit one parent or the other.

AL KOCH read his short story “Choices” about the choices that determine what we eat, how we shop, work, and overall—how we live. It begs the question: Are you an expert or an amateur?

KAREN LAUPER read the chapter “Long Hospitalization: Long Road Home” from her non-fiction book about her son Timmy’s long-term hospitalization, including his hospital baptism and appearance on a TV program hosted by Walter Cronkite.

CHRIS HASARA read his poem “Party Game,” comparing party introductions to throwing stones. He also read the poem “Refined,” expressing how difficulty and struggle can lead to surprising paths.  

SHARON PALMERI read from her memoir “W.O.H. on the Horizon 1993-94.” Sharon arranged for W.O.H. Members to go to a local school to talk to the children about poetry and promote the contest during this period. Contest winners attended an awards night, received prizes, and were published in the first Hoosier Horizon book for children. She promoted this while juggling careers in teaching, nursing, and journalism.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.

Respectfully Submitted:

CINDY HORGASH 

 

April 24, 2025

   MEMBERS PRESENT:

Beverly Biehr, Amy Brailey, Sharon Buckman, Katherine Flotz, Ruthann Graczyk, Cindy Horgash, Al Koch, Bob Neuman, Judy Neuman, Sharon Palmeri, Trent Pendley, Diane Stratton, Tina Fugger, Chris Hasara

OLD BUSINESS:

Amy Brailey reminded members that W.O.H. will host a table at the Creative Arts Summit at the Lake County Reference Library on May 31, 2025, from 12:00-4:00 pm. Set-up begins at 11:00 am. Beverly Biehr, Cindy Horgash, and Sharon Palmeri volunteered to man the table during the event. Members are welcome to have books sold at the table.

NEW BUSINESS:

Amy Brailey’s students will attend the May 22, 2025, W.O.H. meeting to promote their recent book of story collections.

LITERARY NEWS:

Chris Hasara will read his poem at the Words in Motion event at 5:00 p.m. on April 27, 2025, at Clinton Prairie High School. During the reading, interpretive dance will be performed simultaneously. 

READINGS:

AL KOCH read his nonfiction short story “A Cup of Tea.” He tells of enjoying a cup of tea with his mother that soothes and calms the mind, body, and spirit—his favorite kind. Al also read a piece from the writing prompt, “Cell Phone Incident,” about a woman borrowing a stranger’s phone, only to sneeze on it and return it with slime and an apology before running off.  

SHARON BUCKMAN read an informative piece titled “RECESSION?” with a lesson on economizing when necessary.   

SHARON PALMERI read her fictional story based on the writing prompt titled "Don’t Hang Up” about a deadly plot by a woman’s husband to rig her phone with a bomb explosion when she hung up on him—something he knew she would do.

DIANE STRATTON read her informative fiction, “The Call,” centered on the writing prompt about a young woman who borrows her phone and slips away. The news the next day reveals the mystery after a baby was given up in the town’s Safe Haven Baby Box.

RUTHANN GRACZYK read her fictional short story on the WOH writing prompt—A Stranger Asks to Borrow Your Cell Phone, about an encounter with a strange girl at the train station on a snowy morning. After the explosion, Angie would never be late for work again.

Using the writing prompt, CINDY HORGASH read her short story, “So Sorry.” A woman’s encounter with a stranger who borrows her phone in a ruse to plant a tracking device in her purse and mistakenly kills her best friend instead.

BOB NEUMAN read his fictional account of the suggested prompt titled “Noor.” A look of horror flashed across Noor’s face after borrowing his phone and learning that her country of Yemen had just been bombed.  

JUDY NEUMAN shared her poems, “Welcome to Spring!” and “The Green of Spring!” observe the gifts that spring has to offer.        

BEVERLY BIER read a story titled “Reflection.”

TRENT D. PENDLEY read excerpts from “It Happened in the Indiana Dunes”, the trilogy to “Toys in the Closet” and sequel to “Lewry Lurie.” This story captures Nathan entertaining himself of holidays past, reminiscent of how women in Nazi concentration camps retold stories of fabulous dinners of the past with their survival and futures uncertain.

“Bound,” read by CHRIS HASARA, is a fictional short story from the WOH prompt. The character Dave tries to recover his niece after playing a dangerous game with strangers.

TINA FUGGER read the prologue from her nonfiction book about what the Lord wanted her to accomplish with her life. Then a soft voice said, “I want you to write a book.”

AMY BRAILEY read her short fictional story “The Phone Call” from the WOH writing prompt. A man loans his cell phone to a lady, who apologizes after making a call. The man discovers there is a crime ring running a dangerous game.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:17 pm.

Respectfully Submitted:

CINDY HORGASH      

April 10, 2025

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Amy Brailey, Sharon Buckman, Ruthann Graczyk, Shirley Hinman, Al Koch, Bob Neuman, Judy Neuman, Sharon Palmeri, Trent D. Pendley, Beverly Stanislawski, Diane Stratton

 

VISITORS: 

Chris Hasara, Tina Fugger

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Bob Neuman inquired about details for the writing prompt that had been suggested at the last meeting as an interesting project for all the group members for the April 24^th meeting.

Amy reviewed the details of the prompt and reminded everyone that each member can write their own ending to the story and that it would be interesting to see all the different stories that develop from this single story prompt.

 

NEW BUSINESS: 

Al Koch displayed a poem entitled “The Touch of Jesus” that he had framed and matted himself.

WOH President, Amy Brailey, announced that Write-On Hoosiers was accepted as one of the participants for the upcoming Creative Arts Summit to be held at the Lake County Library (Main Branch in Merrillville, IN) on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 12 noon till 4 pm.  The Summit will feature a variety of artists and writers.  Members can set up early at our booth and bring their own books they have written and published to sell at the Summit.  Participating authors can also schedule a time slot to read to the audience a sample from the books they have written.  Audience members will be given a passport to be signed at each booth they visit, and this will give them the opportunity to be entered into a drawing for prizes if they visit all of the booths.

Amy Brailey had an assortment of prints of historic photos from the Lake County Library that she offered to any interested members/visitors who wished to participate in the library’s contest

of suggesting a caption for the photo.  Winners would be chosen and would win a prize.

The deadline for the contest was April 12, 2025.

Amy shared information that the Lake County Library has a recording studio where people can record an audiobook or do a podcast. This is a free service. The studio has a small room with two microphones and chairs. You can also read your own book that you have written.

There are engineers there who can help you.  They will help distribute it.

W.O.H. Executive Director & Founder, Sharon Palmeri mentioned the possibility of the group joining together to publish a WOH book that would consist of an assortment of pieces written by the group members.  This has been done in the earlier years of the group.  Amy Brailey  presented the information to the group.  Those with novels would put in little excerpts.  If it were printed by the Draft to Digital service, it would need to be 64 pages minimum.  There could be 3 to 4 entries per person.  If something was published, you have to give credit.

 

READINGS:

TRENT D. PENDLEY read a historical fiction continuation of the flashback of Thanksgiving 2019 from his trilogy, “It Happened in the Indiana Dunes.”  This is the second part of a dinner conversation that shifted away from the Charlottesville and Tree of Life tragedies to the late English vocalist George Michael, his visit to Arizona, and his performance in Prague. Also, paintings of our protagonist, Nathan Franklin, were acquired for his dining room in Arizona.

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read part of her fictional play, “The Fishing Story.”  It is a mystery at sea.  The audience must try to determine whether it was a murder or a suicide.

AL KOCH shared his nonfiction essay, “Yearbook.” In it, he explains that reflections are engendered in many ways. One of his favorites is looking through his high school yearbooks.

He tells us that this is a story of how life is treasured.

BOB NEUMAN shared his non-fiction prose, “What’s In A Name?” This is his reflection on the truth found in Dale Carnegie’s book, How to Win Friends and Influence People.

JUDY NEUMAN read her poem, “The Colors of Easter.”  This poem is a reflection on the colors of Easter.

SHIRLEY HINMAN read her poem “Two Sides of the Coin.”  In it, she explains that she feels everything basically shows “two sides of the story” and that life experiences contrast with each other.

 SHARON BUCKMAN shared a portion of her memoirs, which she titled,

“Smells and Remembrance.” This is a half-fiction and half-non-fiction account of her life up to the age of 40 years and how much her grandmothers influenced it.

SHARON PALMERI engaged the group in helping to read parts of her play, “The Boat.”

She shared that the play had originally been a story. It tells the adventures that her various family members experienced on her Dad’s newly purchased 18-foot cabin cruiser when sailing on a small lake and then on Lake Michigan.

 

Minutes Respectfully Submitted:

DIANE STRATTON

March 27, 2025

                                                                            

       

NOTE: Writers Prompt: A stranger asks to borrow your cell phone. You agree. She turns away and talks on it for a minute, then faces you once more. "I'm sorry," she says, eyes red. "I'm so very sorry." Then, she runs away.

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Beverly Biehr, Sharon Buckman, Katherine Flotz,
indy Horgash, Karen Lauper, Bob Neuman, Sharon Palmeri, Trent Pendley, Beverly Stanislawski, Diane Stratton

OLD BUSINESS:

Sharon Palmeri shared statistics on people worldwide who have logged on to the W.O.H. website. Overall trends show an 88.% % viewership from the United States, while .42% is from the Philippines, the UK, and the Russian Federation.

NEW BUSINESS:

Diane Stratton shared a March 5^th Times article on the best-selling books of all time.

The W.O.H. has decided to offer the club an optional writing prompt for a fun writing exercise. Members are welcome to read their stories, poems, etc. at our April 24, 2025 monthly meeting. The prompt randomly picked is: A stranger asks to borrow your cell phone. You agree. She turns away and talks on it for a moment, then faces you once more. “I’m sorry,” she says, eyes red. “I’m so sorry.” Then, she runs away.

LITERARY NEWS:

Trent Pendley shared a graphic photo of “It Happened in the Indiana Dunes” and is hoping for permission to use it for the cover of the final installment of his nonfiction trilogy. 

 READINGS:

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read her short story “The Passover Lamb,” which is about a young boy who takes a sheep to be killed for the annual Passover sacrifice to atone for the sins of his family. On his journey, he learns that Jesus is the true Passover lamb.  

BEVERLY BIER read chapter 5 - Hannah, Prayer Warrior, from her book “God’s Calling Seniors.” This chapter speaks of the first woman in biblical history who prayed with so much emotion.

BOB NEUMAN read his nonfiction story “Sarah and Dopey Me,” recounting the gift of a Disney dwarf hat from a young cancer victim who passed away.

“Rhyme Time,” written and read by SHARON BUCKMAN, is a whimsical poem about writing a poem.

TRENT D. PENDLEY read from his third book in his trilogy: “It Happened in the Indiana Dunes”. This story captures the fallout the country suffers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the aftermath of Charlottesville, January 6^th, and the security methods put in place to protect the American Jewish communal institutions.

KAREN LAUPER read an excerpt from her memoir “Can You Push Me to Heaven.” Chapter two details the outcome of two surgeries and the plight of their newborn’s birth defect called Hirschsprung’s Disease.

SHARON PALMERI read the chapter "The Whirlwind Begins,” from her memoir, describing a time when she juggled a nursing career, graduating from college to teach, and beginning a lifelong career in writing.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.

Respectfully Submitted:

CINDY HORGASH 

 

March 13, 2025

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Al Koch, Amy Brailey, Katherine Flotz, Karen Lauper, Shirley Hinman, Bob Neuman, Judy Neuman, Trent Pendley, Diane Stratton, Cindy Horgash, Sharon Palmeri, Lisa Keene

NEW BUSINESS:

Sharon Palmeri is updating the W.O.H. member blog. She requests that anyone with a published book, newspaper, or magazine article submit the information to her with photos and a summary of written work. Sharon also shared the club’s mission statement, blog, Facebook information, and multiple links for writers visiting the website.

OLD BUSINESS:

No items were discussed.

LITERARY NEWS:

Katherine Flotz has been asked to speak at Hartsfield Village (Munster, IN) on April 8, 2025, regarding her book “A Pebble in My Shoe.”

Trent D. Pendley will be doing a reading at the Valparaiso Public Library on May 8, 2025, with a presentation of Erma Rosenthal Frankenstein's book on Ellen Fitzimmon Steinberg.

READINGS:

AL KOCH read his short story, “Parochial School Penance,” about the times when survival lessons of punishment and penance were funny.

KAREN LAUPER read an excerpt from her memoir “Can You Push Me to Heaven.” This story describes the persistence and steadfast determination of her baby boy with momentous medical challenges who must navigate through everyday life beginning as a newborn.

“Delicately Detached” is a poem written and read by SHIRLEY HINMAN about how a rose's life and death compare to humankind’s life and death.

BOB NEUMAN read his poem “Unseen Things” about interactions with well-known idioms.

 

TRENT D. PENDLEY read from his trilogy: “It Happened in the Indiana Dunes”. This story captures the fallout the country suffers with the COVID-19 pandemic, the aftermath of Charlottesville, January 6^th, and the security methods put in place to protect the American Jewish communal institutions.

SHARON PALMERI continued her memoir "The Beginning of the Beginning-Write On!” This story is about the creation of Write-On Hoosiers, Inc.

CINDY HORGASH read the third chapter “Queen of the Swings” of her chapter book geared toward fourth-grade readers. The main antagonist Audrey Cooper has become a viable force to reckon with.

“It’s Me Again, God!” read by JUDY NEUMAN is a whimsical conversation with God where she asks the question, “Lord, did I make you laugh…when…”

LISA KEENE read an excerpt from her YA novel “Yerd” about the night before Olivia’s first day at Region High.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm.

Respectfully Submitted:

CINDY HORGASH 

 

 

February 27, 2025

 

]

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Katherine Flotz, Amy Brailey, Ruthann Graczyk, Beverly Biehr, Bob Neuman, Judy Neuman, Diane Stratton, Cindy Horgash, Beverly Stanislawski, Sharon Palmeri, Al Koch, Lisa Keene, Shirley Hinman, Trent Pendley, Karen Lauper (visitor)

OLD BUSINESS:

Katherine Flotz (Treas.) reminded members that the $25.00 annual dues are now being collected for 2025.

Amy Brailey and Sharon Palmeri completed the registration for the WOH club to participate in the 2025 Creative Arts Summit at the Lake County Public Library. They hope to have news at the next meeting about whether we have been accepted to have a booth.

NEW BUSINESS:

Sharon Palmeri asked if anyone has a published book, to please send her a summary of the book for the WOH blog page and website.

Diane Stratton shared an article on Judy Collins’ release of a book of poems for her 85^th birthday celebration. ‘Sometimes It’s Heaven’ is due to be released on March 25, 2025 and to preorder contact: https://a.co/d/zwcombu

LITERARY NEWS:

No items were discussed.

READINGS:

AMY BRAILEY introduced a picture story prompt of a mysterious cabin in the woods that she used in her classroom for a writing lesson. Amy read her story of a girl taking refuge in a cabin in the woods, and quickly finds it isn’t the refuge she thought.

LISA KEENE read an excerpt from her YA novel “Yerd” where students learn about Shakespearean Sonnets.

BEVERLY BIEHR shared her book description and proposal for “God’s Calling Seniors.” She asked for advice or suggestions for her edited proposal.

BEV STANISLAWSKI read her short story “A Matter of Time” about a destruction plan that goes wrong—really wrong—trapping the revenge seeker.

JUDY NEUMAN read her poem, “A Thief in Our House” about a house robbed by a cabinet thief. Judy also shared a second poem titled, “The Touch of Jesus” about the grace that fills her soul.

“Nail Maker” is a short story written and read by AL KOCH about a metal worker in Jerusalem who is reminded of a miracle in Bethlehem and is chosen to be a witness and apostle for the gift of Good Friday.

BOB NEUMAN read a dedication piece titled, “I Love You, Pete!” Bob gives thanks for the mentorship his father-in-law gave to his wife Judy.

SHARON PALMERI read a memoir titled "We Made it Through the Rain.” A stormy night, tornado warnings, tents, wheelchairs, garbage bags, and scuba suits were just part of the adventure of getting concert tickets.

“Healing Salve” is a non-fiction story written and read by DIANNE STRATTON on a reflection that talks about a shocked reaction to a person’s inquisitive questions. She also shares two encounters that brought encouraging kindness that offsets her shock.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:03 pm.

Respectfully Submitted:

CINDY HORGASH 

 

January 23, 2025

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Katherine Flotz, Amy Brailey, Sharon Buckman, Ruthann Graczyk, Beverly Biehr, Bob Neuman, Judy Neuman, Diane Stratton, Cindy Horgash, Beverly Stanislawski, Sharon Palmeri

OLD BUSINESS:

Katherine Flotz (Treas.) reminded members that the $25.00 annual dues are now being collected for 2025.

NEW BUSINESS:

WOH members agreed to apply for a table at the Creative Arts Summit 2025 at the Lake County Public Library on May 31^st. We discussed taking shifts for the 12:00-4:00 pm time slot and displaying individual published books. We collectively decided this is an opportunity to advertise for the WOH writing club. Amy Brailey (Pres.) offered to complete the application online beginning February 3rd.

LITERARY NEWS:

No items were discussed.

READINGS:

AMY BRAILEY read an untitled piece about an invading army that searches for a child who has been foretold in a prophecy. Before they can find him, his governess spirits him away.

SHARON BUCKMAN read her fictional short story “Going Home.” An almost believable account of the abduction of her and her eight-year-old brother by a stranger after the local newspaper published an article about their father being injured during World War II.

BEVERLY BIEHR shared her book description and proposal for “God’s Calling Seniors.” She asked for advice or suggestions for her proposal.

BOB NEUMAN read his short story “Sam, I Am!” or a better title “Sam, I am NOT!” about a nine-year-old boy who like him shares a similar but different life story.

“Pure and Sweet” is DIANE STRATTON’S reflection article on how a certain group of people set a good example of kindness without needing any super abilities.

CINDY HORGASH read chapter two “Déjà vu” of her untitled Chapter book about the antics and thoughts between fourth-grade friends and classmates.   

JUDY NEUMAN read a short piece on the positive effects of a smile that she titled, “There’s Something About a Smile!”

BEV STANISLAWSKI read the first chapter of a story titled “La Señora” about a young girl searching for a gigantic oyster shell that is believed to hold the biggest pearl in the world.

SHARON PALMERI read a poem titled "Ode to My Husband” about the man who allowed her the freedom to grow.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:06 pm.

Respectfully Submitted:

CINDY HORGASH