February 19, 2015

MEMBERS PRESENT:

MaryLu Cowley, Tom Spencer, Paul Mulligan, Bob Moulesong, Katherine Flotz,  Beverly Stanislawski, Sharon Palmeri, Luneil Morrow, Bob Philpot, George Miga,

Judy Whitcomb, and Ruthann Graczyk.   

OLD BUSINESS:

SHARON PALMERI opened the meeting asking for approval of the minutes. BOB MOULESONG, approved; KATHERINE FLOTZ, seconded.

NEW BUSINESS:

KATHERINE FLOTZ will be speaking about her book, Pebble in My Shoe, at Trine University, Angola,IN, on April 20.

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI’S poem ,“ Two for the Show,” won first place in humor in Kentucky’s poetry contest and was printed in their “Pegasus” booklet. 

JUDITH –LACHANCE WHITCOMB told about a poetry reading given by three featured poets, Friday, March 6, 7p.m., at Paul Henry’s Art Gallery, Hammond IN.  Advance tickets $8, at Blotterature.com.

TOM SPENCER invited poets to attend The North West Indiana Poetry Society meeting, Saturday, February 28, 10 a.m., at Lowell’s library.  

READINGS:

MARY LU COWLEY read her essay, “Listen to Your Mother --While You Can,” telling of her own mother’s good advice and active life. It also encouraged readers to listen to their mothers while the women were still alive. 

BOB MOULESONG continued his story, “Long Night Moon,” with  Detective Cogan  trying to deal with being placed on medical leave and how to tell his father. Cogan also dreams about his dead wife and some ominous warnings. Upon awaking, he learns that NASA has been issuing reports about a comet’s descending path that could affect the Earth.

PAUL MULLIGAN read excerpts from his novel, Be Brave-Now Die. Carl and Darlene decide to tell her parents their plans for marriage about a week after high school graduation. The Banks take the news fairly well, and Mr. Banks gives them some good advice.

TOM SPENCER’S poem, “Phantoms of the Mind,” explained some of the shadows in life that people experience, including becoming specters of their parents’ future, festering fantasies of facts, and sorting illusions of the past.

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI’S poem took us to “Mardi Gras” and described various events in New Orleans which appeared regal, ridiculous, gaudy, yet gorgeous.  She later read her award winner, “Two for the Show” which told of a girl’s trouble with a bikini.

Bob Philpot read from Chapter 1 of his novel in progress, Strange Friends.  We learned more about Zeb and his vast knowledge of guns and how to use them, especially when he helped the sheriff deal with some banditos.

Sharon Palmeri offered her story, “Sign of The Times.” This unusual sci-fi tale told of two strangers who met only through online chat. The story included some misunderstandings, a time warp, and ended with a real surprise.

Judith Lachance-Whitcomb took us to “Chaos in the Kitchen,” Chapter 4, in her novel Emma and Guenever. We met Princess Guenever and a humorous cast of castle characters. They ranged from an overly-protective cook, Hawisa, and a teacher, Master Urry, to the bewildered Emma who never seemed to understand what was happening.  Chaos reigned supreme.

The meeting ended at 8:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI