March 12, 2026

WRITE ON HOOSIERS

March 12, 2026

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm

MEMBERS’ PRESENT:

Amy Brailey, Katherine Flotz, Gail Galvan, Ruthann Graczyk, Chris Hasara, Shirley Hinman, Cindy Horgash, Al Koch, Karen Lauper, Bob Neuman, Judy Neuman, Trent Pendley, Diane Stratton, Shirley Vaughan, Andrew Cummings (Guest)

OLD BUSINESS:

Karen Lauper approved the WOH minutes for February 26, 2026, and Trent Pendley seconded.

Amy Brailey (Pres.) thanked members who attended author Maurice Broaddus's presentation at the Lake Station-New Chicago Library this afternoon.  For more information, members can check out his website at MauriceBroaddus.com.

NEW BUSINESS:

Andrew Cummings (guest) introduced himself to the members, and everyone shared their writing genres and experiences.

LITERARY NEWS:

Cindy Horgash announced that she will be holding a book signing for the latest Chicken Soup for the Soul’s “Being Grandma” book at Barnes & Noble on April 26, 2026, from 1:00-3:00 pm at the Schererville location.  

READINGS:

“Murphy O’Shay is Out of Luck” is a retold children’s story written by CINDY HORGASH about an Irishman who travels to the edge of the world to see if the wise woman will give him some luck.

TRENT D. PENDLEY continued reading from chapter three of his second novel, “Lewry Lurie” as Nathan and Brad Franklin give a tour through their Blair Park urban renewal project in Michigan City, a gentrification project during the 2011 economic crash that is a fundraising effort for the Shirley Heinze Land Trust, giving employment to their Lewry cousins who own a construction firm.  The tour details some of the original residents of the late 19^th century.

AL KOCH shared a piece titled “Parting Words.” Forever true: Parting is such sweet sorrow from William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Act 2, Scene 2: Words of endearment, appreciation, and gratitude are conveyed with heartfelt meaning.

GAIL GALVAN read her poem “American Dream Keepers,” honoring our nation’s upcoming 250th birthday.

KAREN LAUPER read the chapter Becoming a Toddler from her book “Can You Push Me to Heaven?” As Timmy becomes a toddler, he begins going through developmental milestones like a superstar. He has been making slow but solid gains with his weight, now 15 pounds at 3 ½ years old. His younger brother has been a positive model in helping him make progress.

CHRIS HASARA read his short story about his main character, Charlie, who gets stuck while loading a truck and gets a surprising visitor.

JUDY NEUMAN read her testimony titled, “No ‘Testimony’ without a 'Test!’” Based on her year-long journey through cancer with God’s help.

RUTHANN GRACZYK read book 5 of her series titled “New Day.” This is the continuing saga of the Slade family, which surrounds the life of son, Keith, the third child of Christine and Mark Slade, who met in Liverpool, England, in the mid-1960’s. This is the continuation of Keith's reunion with his estranged daughter-in-law and former employee and bandmate, Kristi, who was married to his son, Scott, until he lost his battle with Leukemia four years earlier and missed the birth of his child, Scott Jr.

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm.

Respectfully Submitted:

CINDY HORGASH