September 9, 2025

 

WRITE ON, HOOSIERS!

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm

MEMBERS’ PRESENT:

Beverly Biehr, Amy Brailey, Katherine Flotz, Chris Hasara, Cindy Horgash, Lisa Keene, Al Koch, Karen Lauper, Bob Neuman, Judy Neuman, Sharon Palmeri, Trent D. Pendley, Beverly Stanislawski, Diane Stratton, Jon Terpstra

OLD BUSINESS:

Reminder that Mark Edward Wilows will be speaking at our next meeting on September 23, 2025.

Beverly Stanislawski suggested we have refreshments at the next meeting. Cindy Horgash and Judy Neuman volunteered to bring snacks.

NEW BUSINESS:

Sharon Palmeri checked in on a few of our former members, Sharon Dorelli and Bernadette Fortuna, who have retired, and is hopeful that they will now have more time to write and return to WOH.

Al Koch informed the club that the new History Museum in Whiting, IN will hold its official opening on September 13^th from 10 am-4 pm.

LITERARY NEWS:

Katherine Flotz has been invited to Beverly’s church, First United Methodist in Valparaiso, on November 9^th to speak about her book, “A Pebble in My Shoe.”

Amy Brailey took her students to the Knox Beyond the Book Authors Fair to meet with 40 authors, receive giveaways, and learn about podcasting.

Lisa Keene has submitted a proposal to present her book, “Yerd,” at the Journalism Education/National Scholastic Press Association Convention.

READINGS:

SHARON PALMERI read the chapter, “1998-99: John, Gateway Computers, and the Pusher,” from her memoir. This chapter recounts her husband becoming bored after retirement, taking on a job selling computers, and his experience and altercation with a very pushy salesman.

AL KOCH read his newspaper article, “Summers of a Lifetime,” celebrating the seasons of the calendar and the seasons within our hearts and minds. So many moments, so many memories. Savor the moments, treasure the memories.

CHRIS HASARA read his Wild Card Award-winning poem, “Grains of Sand,” about life passing.

BOB NEUMAN read his inspirational-humorous article, “Misteaks and Corections,” about mistakes and corrections.

JON TERPSTRA read the first chapter of his story, “Ruby.” The narrator is tending bar, and his friend, Jeff, has stopped in to see him, recalling the details of their initial conversation.

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read her poem of memories of a “Lonely House.” She also read her poem, “Ballerina” about the beauty of Degas' Ballerina.

TRENT D. PENDLEY continued the reading from Chapter 3 of his historical fiction, “Lewry Lurie,” the sequel to his “Toys in the Closet.” This chapter takes place on June 11, 2011, and the protagonist is reciting a dream he had when visiting his house in the Indiana Dunes on December 25, 1997.

KAREN LAUPER read the chapter, “Freedom at Last: It’s Permanent” from her book “Can You Push Me to Heaven.” This chapter summarizes Timmy’s homecoming after 21 months of hospitalization and his 2^nd birthday celebration. Timmy’s diet is a challenge of trial and error with many digestive issues.   

BEVERLY BIEHR read “Simeon, Finishing Life Well”, Chapter 9,  from her book “Happy Retirement Years: Inspiration from Bible Seniors.” Simeon is remembered 2000 years from when Luke wrote about him and recognized his qualities of being righteous and devout.

LISA KEENE read an excerpt from her book “Yerd: A Yearbook Nerd’s Epic Quest for Spiritual and Grammatical Enlightenment.” After an evening of drinking and making bad choices, the main character kisses Luke Harrington. Yes, THE Luke Harrington!

The meeting adjourned at 8:08 pm.

Respectfully Submitted:

CINDY HORGASH