February 26, 2026

 

WRITE ON HOOSIERS

February 26, 2026

The meeting was called to order at 6:10 pm

MEMBERS’ PRESENT:

Amy Brailey, Gail Galvan, Ruthann Graczyk, Chris Hasara, Shirley Hinman, Cindy Horgash, Lisa Keenem, Al Koch, Karen Lauper, Bob Neuman, Judy Neuman, Sharon Palmeri, Trent Pendley, Diane Stratton, Jon Terpstra

OLD BUSINESS:

Al Koch approved the WOH minutes for February 12, 2026, and Trent Pendley seconded.

Amy Brailey (Pres.) shared information about the author Maurice Broaddus's presentation at the Lake Station-New Chicago Library on March 12, 2026, at 1:00 pm. She asked members to consider going as representatives of WOH.

NEW BUSINESS:

Amy Brailey (Pres.) completed the registration for Write On Hoosiers to attend the Lake County Public Library’s Creative Arts Summit on May 30^th from 1:00-4:00 pm. The library will notify her if we have been accepted.     

Sharon Palmeri (Exec. Director) wants to begin a selection process for a new WOH member collaboration book. More information and guidelines will be shared soon at a future meeting. 

 

LITERARY NEWS:

None

READINGS:

“Gambling Goodies” is a non-fiction, humorous reflection by DIANE STRATTON that compares trying to get bargains while grocery shopping to gambling at a casino.

CHRIS HASARA read his short story about his main character, Charlie, who changes plans after encountering an uncommon mouse.

SHIRLEY HINMAN read her poem “What is Love?”

TRENT D. PENDLEY continued reading from Chapter Three of “Lewry Lurie” as Nathan and Brad Franklin give a personal tour of their restoration of Blair Park, aka the West Side of Michigan City. They are telling their guests the history of the commercial buildings along Willard Avenue and possible plans to rent to law students the tiny housing, keeping control of who lives there and circumventing Fair Housing Laws.

JON TERPSTRA read part one of his short story, “The Grove,” which is the history of a local gathering place for Riverton’s high school kids.

LISA KEENE read an excerpt from the Final Reflection Chapter 23 of her book, “Yerd: A Yearbook Nerd’s Epic Quest for Spiritual and Grammatical Enlightenment.”

SHARON PALMERI read a feature story she wrote years ago for her college newspaper entitled “Making the Grade.”The article stressed that while transcripts and grades are important, but there is more to life and success than being book smart. Confidence and pride in oneself are just as important in being successful.

AL KOCH shared a piece titled “Forgiveness.” Is Forgiveness a sign of weakness or a sign of strength? When presented as a gift, forgiveness becomes the ultimate act of love ever rendered: ”Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

GAIL GALVAN read three poems titled Creative Comparisons, Songbird, and A Million Songs from her book “Affinity for Rainbows.”

KAREN LAUPER read the chapter More Challenges from her book “Can You Push Me to Heaven?” At 3 ½ years old, Timmy now weighs 15 pounds after being home from the hospital for 1 ½ years. He is making slow but steady progress, even though there are more challenges ahead.

“Questions” is a short piece of BOB NEUMAN’s series of random Bobfoolery questions he recently pondered.

The meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.

Respectfully Submitted:

CINDY HORGASH