WRITE ON HOOSIERS
February 12, 2026
The meeting was called to order at 6:10 pm
MEMBERS’ PRESENT:
Amy
Brailey, Sharon Buckman, Katherine Flotz, Gail Galvan, Ruthann Graczyk, Shirley
Hinman, Cindy Horgash, Al Koch, Karen Lauper, Tom Molnar, Bob Neuman, Judy
Neuman, Trent Pendley, Mike Ripley, Beverly Stanislawski, Diane Stratton, Jon
Terpstra
OLD BUSINESS:
WOH
minutes for January 22, 2026, were not available for approval at today’s
meeting.
Amy
Brailey shared information about the author Maurice Broaddus's presentation at
the Lake Station Library on March 12, 2026, at 1:00 pm.
NEW BUSINESS:
Amy
Brailey (Pres.) asked for a show of hands from members who are interested in
registering for a booth at the Lake County Public Library’s Creative Arts
Summit on May 30th from 1:00-4:00 pm. Several members were
interested and would like to have their books displayed.
LITERARY NEWS:
Trent
Pendley will be speaking at the Duneland Historical Society at Hawthorne Park
on February 19, 2026, at 1:00 pm.
READINGS:
SHIRLEY HINMAN read her poem “Speaking to a Mask.” When we speak to a
mask, we don’t build trust; we are naively deceived.
GAIL GALVAN read
the first few pages of her novella, “Welcome Home Will Forever,” about
an adopted cat who settles into his new home. Gail noted that she published it
as an E-book, too, with plans to record an audio version. All versions will be
available on Amazon.
AL KOCH shared
a piece titled “Just Thinkin.’ It is an unstructured, random review of
thoughts encountered within the mind and the treasure they’ve added to one’s
life journey.
TOM MOLNAR read
the chapter The Background: What We Believe(d) from his book “The
Universe of God and Humanity.” The world has changed so much with so many
new developments; consequently, views are reducing old ideas with new ones. This
can change our perspective on ourselves and even our relationship with God.
TRENT D. PENDLEY continued reading from “Lewry Lurie” and the Franklin
brothers guiding their guests through Blair Park in Michigan City. They note
their improvements to this Victorian-era neighborhood along Dunes Highway, with
residences built before the automobile, and their enhanced landscaping for
their gentrification investment.
JON TERPSTRA read part five of his short story, “Ruby,” which was set at the Riverview Bar. The narrator learns that Ruby will be passing away soon, and he will inherit the bar. JON TERPSTRA also read part six, the conclusion of his short story, “Ruby.” The narrator absorbs the fact that Ruby is going to pass away soon and that he will be inheriting the bar from her.
RUTHANN GRACZYK read her story of the successes and failures of the meeting of
the parents in Liverpool, England, in her fifth book titled “New Day.” She
has completed book 1—“Dawn”, book 2—“Afternoon”, book 3—“Evening”, and book
4—“Midnight.”
MIKE RIPLEY
shared his story “Nellie” about a mother who lived a long, strong life. The
story is told from three points in her lifespan from the viewpoint of her son.
KAREN LAUPER read the chapter Assessing the Damage from her book “Can
You Push Me to Heaven?” After a long hospitalization, numerous medical
crises, and ongoing nutrition issues, Timmy’s parents begin to deal with
other obstacles that affect his life. He must have surgery on his baby teeth to
remove decay and cap all of these teeth.
BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read her short story “Armed and Dangerous” The comical, but tense story of a husband and wife dealing with airport security while telling her husband to give them the Bazooka—a pocket knife he owned since he was eight, after mailing 200 Bazooka gum wrappers for the prize possession.
The
meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.
Respectfully Submitted:
CINDY HORGASH
