MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharon Buckman, Shirley Hinman, Katherine Flotz, Bob Neuman, Judy Neuman, Diane Stratton, Sharon Palmeri, Amy Brailey
PREVIOUS MEETING’S MINUTES: The minutes from the previous meeting on 10/19/23 were just posted today and members had not yet read them.
NEW BUSINESS: Sharon Palmeri (President) notified the group members that beginning next year (2024), a reminder notice will not be sent to each member before each monthly meeting as is currently done. There had been some technical difficulty with the email system and a number of members were not receiving the reminders. Instead, the new routine will be to issue a written list of all meeting dates for the entire year to each member and they will have that to keep track of scheduled dates.
She also announced that this year’s Christmas Party Dinner will be held at Teibel’s restaurant in Schererville, IN on the first Wednesday of December (December 6th). Members should arrive at 5:30pm and dinner will begin at 6:00pm.
In addition, she reminded everyone that the second meeting of November will be held on the fifth Thursday in November (Nov. 30), rather than the usual fourth Thursday of the month due to the Thanksgiving holiday occurring on the fourth Thursday (Nov. 23).
Finally, Palmeri told the group that for future meetings, the previous meeting’s minutes will be read to the entire group in attendance for approval. Those taking the meeting minutes have noted that it takes two hours to prepare them to be posted. This new procedure of reading them to the entire group at the following meeting will assure that everyone has heard them and is updated and can approve them. (Currently members were asked if anyone in attendance had checked the website and read them and whether they were found to be correct.)
READINGS:
Bob Neuman shared his story, “THE FINE ART OF HERDING CATS”. This true story details a brief history of
their family’s rescued cats, including each of their unique personalities,
features and backgrounds and also their interactions.
The poem, “SOMETHING’S AFOOT!” was read by author, Judy Neuman. The verses relate her thoughts about therapy for tendonitis of her foot and conclude with a touch of humor.
Sharon Buckman related events from her true life story entitled, NOT SO PERFECT LIFE. This four-page memoir of Sharon’s life was reluctantly written for a friend and relative and summarizes major events and situations in her life throughout the years.
Shirley Hinman read two of her poems. The first was entitled, “What’s a Mask For?” It gives Shirley’s opinion on how wearing a mask is more of a nuisance than it’s worth. Her words also strive to express her opinion that if being required to wear them is ever enforced, it could take away her rights as a citizen to be free.
Her second poem, “What’s that Sound?” tells how strange sounds of the fall season made her know someone was around on Halloween.
Sharon Palmeri read a selection from her true life memoirs. This chapter, “W.O.H.! What a Ride! 1991-1992” gives a year’s segment from the history of the Write On Hoosiers non-profit group, which Sharon founded. It includes the account of Sharon beginning her teaching career and also handling the challenges of writing for several newspapers all while simultaneously working at the hospital. She includes pleasant times spent with her family during that time as well.
MEETING ADJOURNED: At 6:36pm
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Stratton
