September 9, 2025

 

WRITE ON, HOOSIERS!

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm

MEMBERS’ PRESENT:

Beverly Biehr, Amy Brailey, Katherine Flotz, Chris Hasara, Cindy Horgash, Lisa Keene, Al Koch, Karen Lauper, Bob Neuman, Judy Neuman, Sharon Palmeri, Trent D. Pendley, Beverly Stanislawski, Diane Stratton, Jon Terpstra

OLD BUSINESS:

Reminder that Mark Edward Wilows will be speaking at our next meeting on September 23, 2025.

Beverly Stanislawski suggested we have refreshments at the next meeting. Cindy Horgash and Judy Neuman volunteered to bring snacks.

NEW BUSINESS:

Sharon Palmeri checked in on a few of our former members, Sharon Dorelli and Bernadette Fortuna, who have retired, and is hopeful that they will now have more time to write and return to WOH.

Al Koch informed the club that the new History Museum in Whiting, IN will hold its official opening on September 13^th from 10 am-4 pm.

LITERARY NEWS:

Katherine Flotz has been invited to Beverly’s church, First United Methodist in Valparaiso, on November 9^th to speak about her book, “A Pebble in My Shoe.”

Amy Brailey took her students to the Knox Beyond the Book Authors Fair to meet with 40 authors, receive giveaways, and learn about podcasting.

Lisa Keene has submitted a proposal to present her book, “Yerd,” at the Journalism Education/National Scholastic Press Association Convention.

READINGS:

SHARON PALMERI read the chapter, “1998-99: John, Gateway Computers, and the Pusher,” from her memoir. This chapter recounts her husband becoming bored after retirement, taking on a job selling computers, and his experience and altercation with a very pushy salesman.

AL KOCH read his newspaper article, “Summers of a Lifetime,” celebrating the seasons of the calendar and the seasons within our hearts and minds. So many moments, so many memories. Savor the moments, treasure the memories.

CHRIS HASARA read his Wild Card Award-winning poem, “Grains of Sand,” about life passing.

BOB NEUMAN read his inspirational-humorous article, “Misteaks and Corections,” about mistakes and corrections.

JON TERPSTRA read the first chapter of his story, “Ruby.” The narrator is tending bar, and his friend, Jeff, has stopped in to see him, recalling the details of their initial conversation.

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read her poem of memories of a “Lonely House.” She also read her poem, “Ballerina” about the beauty of Degas' Ballerina.

TRENT D. PENDLEY continued the reading from Chapter 3 of his historical fiction, “Lewry Lurie,” the sequel to his “Toys in the Closet.” This chapter takes place on June 11, 2011, and the protagonist is reciting a dream he had when visiting his house in the Indiana Dunes on December 25, 1997.

KAREN LAUPER read the chapter, “Freedom at Last: It’s Permanent” from her book “Can You Push Me to Heaven.” This chapter summarizes Timmy’s homecoming after 21 months of hospitalization and his 2^nd birthday celebration. Timmy’s diet is a challenge of trial and error with many digestive issues.   

BEVERLY BIEHR read “Simeon, Finishing Life Well”, Chapter 9,  from her book “Happy Retirement Years: Inspiration from Bible Seniors.” Simeon is remembered 2000 years from when Luke wrote about him and recognized his qualities of being righteous and devout.

LISA KEENE read an excerpt from her book “Yerd: A Yearbook Nerd’s Epic Quest for Spiritual and Grammatical Enlightenment.” After an evening of drinking and making bad choices, the main character kisses Luke Harrington. Yes, THE Luke Harrington!

The meeting adjourned at 8:08 pm.

Respectfully Submitted:

CINDY HORGASH 

 

Aug. 26, 2025 Minutes

 

Write on, Hoosiers! 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Sharon Buckman, Amy Brailey, Chris Hasara, Lisa Keene, Karen Lauper, Bob Neuman, Judy Neuman, Sharon Palmeri, Trent D. Pendley, Beverly Stanislawski, Diane Stratton, Jon Terpstra, Ursula Saqui

 

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: 6:10 p.m.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Diane Stratton discussed having writer, TV actor, and radio host Mark Edward Wilows speak about screenwriting to our group. She mentioned possibly in September, and then said she would propose some dates and see what works best for his schedule. 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

We had a potential new member, Dr. Ursula Saqui, share that she has experience in academic and business writing, but she started creative writing murder mysteries five years ago. We went around the room and introduced ourselves. Diane advised that dues are $25/year, and we meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 6 p.m. In October we will return to the 2nd and 4th Thursdays. 

 

LITERARY NEWS:

Amy invited the rest of the writers to join her as she planned to take her students to the Knox Library Author Fest on Sept. 6.

 

Jon let everyone know that non-members could submit poems in up to six categories to the Poetry Society of Indiana for $5. The deadline for that contest was Aug. 27, but there are more upcoming.

 

READINGS:

 

KAREN LAUPER read the chapter, Second Visit Home from her book, “Can You Push Me to Heaven.” This is a continuing summary of the joy and challenges Jimmy’s second visit home brought after 20 months in Yale University Hospital, and the measles outbreak that required the hospital to discharge him to his parents’ care with no return date. At only seven pounds, Timmy is finally reunited with his mom and dad in a happy homecoming.

 

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read her fictional short story, “Lessons Learned from the Giant Pearl Search,” about Bella’s interactions with Papá Ortega as she searched for a giant pearl named La Seňora and learned that giving back is the best part of getting.

 

CHRIS HASARA played the guitar to his original song about driving a bus.

 

AMY BRAILEY read the prologue and part of Chapter 1 of her book, “Destiny: Unknown.” Armon has an encounter with bullies and tries to defend himself.

 

SHARON BUCKMAN read “A Special Life” recounting the challenges and triumphs of a “life well spent” by her friend Beverly who is a wonderful person who devoted her existence to raising seven children with her husband Jim. She now helps with her grandchildren.

 

SHARON PALMERI read, “No Guarantee” which is a medical story based on a real-life incident Sharon experienced while working in obstetrics.

 

TRENT D. PENDLEY read an excerpt from Chapter 5 of his novel, “Lewry Lurie,” his sequel to “Toys in the Closet.” Lewry Lurie is a week-long adventure in the Indiana Dunes Country with excursions to Indianapolis and Lafayette and back to Chicago where the story originated in the John Hancock building. This read notes meeting some community elders in Valparaiso for lunch with connections to Broadway musical productions, Roy Halston the fashion industry icon from Evansville as well as the manufacturing of the first golden arch sign for McDonalds. This read takes place on June 29, 2011.

 

JON TERPSTRA discussed his historical piece based on a fictional town called Riverton that is based on Ottowa and LaSalle, IL.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted:

LISA KEENE