JULY 2, 2015

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Sharon Palmeri, Katherine Flotz, Bob Philpot, Sharon Dorelli,  Paul Mulligan, Nancy Ritz, Kenneth Ritz, Adam Sedia, Amy Brailey, Beverly Stanislawski

OLD BUSINESS:

Paul Mulligan  moved and Katherine Flotz seconded the minutes for the June 18 meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

Sharon Palmeri suggested that the group take up a collection to go toward the Tom Spencer Memorial Fund.  Tom Spencer, a loyal member, recently passed away. The suggestion passed unanimously

Amy Brailey gave a brief account of her recent trip to Auschwitz, Poland, with the Candles Museum group from Terre Haute.

Adam Sedia announced his recent marriage, May 23, and mentioned that the couple honeymooned in Costa Rica.

READINGS: 

Beverly Stanislawski read her memorial poem, “ Maestro,”  in honor of Tom Spencer. It told of the letters of the alphabet being silent, now that their conductor had laid down his great baton. Tom’s legacy would be other poets who followed him who were kind to his letters

Sharon Dorelli presented her poem, "The Lonely." It told of a man and woman who had been neighbors for several years, but who never really got to know each other. They lived their separate lives on opposite sides of a tall wooden fence. Often wondering one another, they never took the opportunity to put aside   shyness or other obstacles to become good friends. 

Paul Mulligan read from Chapter 5, “Lesson Learned,” of his novel, Be Brave-Now Die. The newlyweds return home, finding time for some romance. Darlene’s inability to cook is discussed with their landlady, Mrs. Nichols, who promises to help her learn. The couple also must consider how to adjust to possible mother-in-law interference.

Bob Philpot gave us another chapter from his novel, Strange Friends. In Chapter 6, we meet Red Rump, a tarantula who develops a rather unusual friendship with Zeb. The spider is so friendly that Zeb can get close enough to feed him meal-worms.  Zeb learns a lot about Red’s habits and knows when to keep his distance from this strange friend.

Katherine Flotz continued reading from Chapter 4 of The Journey  novel.

The Brenner family makes a difficult decision to leave Germany and travel to America without knowing if Martha’s husband is alive and in a prisoner-of-war camp. “The ocean voyage is a rebirth for Martha.” She realizes that she will have to overcome the feeling of not “belonging” in order to make a new life for the sake of her sons.

Nancy Ritz introduced us to her novel, remaerDDreamer, by reading from Chapter 6, “21^st Birthday.” While we met only Paris Bert in this chapter,

we learn that she has a twin sister; but neither knows about the other. Paris, raised in Kentucky, is surprised that her ranch life is unusually quiet on her birthday. A big surprise awaits her as she learns that Wesley Bolt, the Horse Whisperer, actually answered the letter she wrote to him and may be coming to see her.

Adam Sedia offered a wonderful memorial tribute to Tom Spencer.  The poem, “Hymn to the Ascending Soul,” spoke of Tom’s soul  “manifesting on high…” as he was the “justified one thou has spoken truth, thy words have been weighed and found true…. Now take thy place among the immortals, to dwell forever among them.”

Sharon Palmeri read her free verse poem, “She.” A lovely Indian maiden appears troubled, but we do not know why. After a preparation ritual of sorts, she eliminates all worldly possessions, except a turquoise ring she promised never to remove. Then, she commits suicide. Years later, another young woman stands at the same mountain, recalls the legend of the Indian maiden, and inexplicably is wearing a turquoise ring she has promised never to remove.

Meeting adjourned 8:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Beverly Stanislawski