WRITE ON HOOSIERS
January 8, 2026
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm
MEMBERS’ PRESENT:
Amy
Brailey, Katherine Flotz, Bernadette Fortuna, Chris Hasara, Shirley Hinman, Cindy
Horgash, Karen Lauper, Tom Molnar, Bob Neuman, Judy Neuman, Trent Pendley, Beverly
Stanislawski, Diane Stratton, Jon Terpstra, and Shirley Vaughan
OLD BUSINESS:
Trent
Pendley approved the posted minutes of the November 13, 2025 meeting, and seconded
by Bernadette Fortuna.
Katherine
Flotz (Treas.) reminded members that the 2026 member fees of $25.00 are now
due.
Sharon
Palmeri (Exec. Director) advised members that the WOH meeting dates from
January through November will be the 2nd and 4th
Thursdays at Bulldog Park and Recreation Building (Crown Point, IN)
Diane
Stratton (V. Pres.) informed members that she will continue to send out meeting
reminders, but replies and RSVP’s are not needed.
NEW BUSINESS:
Amy
Brailey (Pres.) welcomed a former WOH member, Mike Ripley back to the club.
Members present introduced themselves.
Tom
Molnar discussed Fiverr as an affordable service to hire freelance
graphic designers for book covers and illustrations. They can be contacted
through Fiverr.com
Amy
Brailey announced that author Maurice Broaddus will be speaking to her
students. His books include Marvel’s Black Panther: Tales from Wakanda
and New Tales of Stephen King’s: The Stand.
LITERARY NEWS:
Gail
Galvan sent a reminder that her book Welcome Home Will Forever was
released on December 10, 2025. She hopes to attend the next January meeting
with books on hand for sale.
Trent
Pendley has been invited to speak on Thurs. February 19, 2026, at 1:00 pm at
the Hawthorne Park Community Center, 500 Ackerman Drive, Porter, IN.
Chris
Hasara introduced information on the NFSPS 2026 Annual Contest and Rules for
the National Federation of State Poetry Societies, Inc. Members and Non-members
can submit original unpublished poem(s).
Cindy
Horgash received a contract with Chicken Soup for the Soul for her short
story, You Need One to Enter for their “Being Grandma” book set for release
on March 10, 2026.
READINGS:
JUDY NEUMAN read
her poem “Here I Go Again!” about complaining all the time and trying to
change her fussy ways.
AMY BRAILEY shared
one of her stories to solve titled “Disappearances” about two kids who
follow a lost girl after a string of disappearances.
“Medical Conundrums” is a humorous medical poem written and presented by BOB
NEUMAN.
SHARON PALMERI read her fictional mystery “Sign of the Times,” where travel
across time and space gives cause for a missed meet-up and lingering effects.
SHIRLEY HINMAN shared her poem, “Myopia.” Usual thoughts were all about
me, which is why she couldn’t see the forest for the trees.
TOM MOLNAR read
the first chapter, A Maiden, a Prince and a Stable Boy from
his novel “Mist on the Moon.” As Cara’s father planned her future, the
princess dreamt of something more romantic.
TRENT D. PENDLEY read from Chapter Three of his historical fiction, “Lewry
Lurie.” The story, set on June 27, 2011, details the arrival of the real-life
Andrew Morris, Jay Weinberg, and Jason Shields, joining the Franklin brothers
on the Stardust Patio overlooking Lake Michigan for yoga exercises.
BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read her fictional short story “The Richest Man.” The story
tells of Stephen Heintzman, a pious man who had often tried, unsuccessfully, to
convert his wealthy master, Adolf Dorth, to Christianity.
BERNADETTE FORTUNA shared her short story “The Medallion.” Carla Clayton
finds a gold shell-like medallion while strolling on a beach in Alexandria,
Egypt. The Legend is that the Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, was wearing a similar
one at the time of her death but lost for all time. Like all legends with
treasure involved, it has been searched for time and again. Could this
medallion be the one?
KAREN LAUPER read the chapter The Comfort of Christmas from her book “Can
You Push Me to Heaven?” Tim, as an adult, must continue to navigate medical
challenges. He has several strategies to manage stress, but the comfort of
Christmas is one of the best.
The
meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.
Respectfully Submitted:
CINDY HORGASH
