Sunday, September 21, 2025

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

 

 

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