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