February 12, 2026

 

WRITE ON HOOSIERS

February 12, 2026

The meeting was called to order at 6:10 pm

MEMBERS’ PRESENT:

Amy Brailey, Sharon Buckman, Katherine Flotz, Gail Galvan, Ruthann Graczyk, Shirley Hinman, Cindy Horgash, Al Koch, Karen Lauper, Tom Molnar, Bob Neuman, Judy Neuman, Trent Pendley, Mike Ripley, Beverly Stanislawski, Diane Stratton, Jon Terpstra

OLD BUSINESS:

WOH minutes for January 22, 2026, were not available for approval at today’s meeting.

Amy Brailey shared information about the author Maurice Broaddus's presentation at the Lake Station Library on March 12, 2026, at 1:00 pm.

NEW BUSINESS:

Amy Brailey (Pres.) asked for a show of hands from members who are interested in registering for a booth at the Lake County Public Library’s Creative Arts Summit on May 30^th from 1:00-4:00 pm. Several members were interested and would like to have their books displayed.           

LITERARY NEWS:

Trent Pendley will be speaking at the Duneland Historical Society at Hawthorne Park on February 19, 2026, at 1:00 pm.

READINGS:

SHIRLEY HINMAN read her poem “Speaking to a Mask.” When we speak to a mask, we don’t build trust; we are naively deceived.

GAIL GALVAN read the first few pages of her novella, “Welcome Home Will Forever,” about an adopted cat who settles into his new home. Gail noted that she published it as an E-book, too, with plans to record an audio version. All versions will be available on Amazon.

AL KOCH shared a piece titled “Just Thinkin.’ It is an unstructured, random review of thoughts encountered within the mind and the treasure they’ve added to one’s life journey.

TOM MOLNAR read the chapter The Background: What We Believe(d) from his book “The Universe of God and Humanity.” The world has changed so much with so many new developments; consequently, views are reducing old ideas with new ones. This can change our perspective on ourselves and even our relationship with God.

TRENT D. PENDLEY continued reading from “Lewry Lurie” and the Franklin brothers guiding their guests through Blair Park in Michigan City. They note their improvements to this Victorian-era neighborhood along Dunes Highway, with residences built before the automobile, and their enhanced landscaping for their gentrification investment.

JON TERPSTRA read part five of his short story, “Ruby,” which was set at the Riverview Bar. The narrator learns that Ruby will be passing away soon, and he will inherit the bar.           JON TERPSTRA also read part six, the conclusion of his short story, “Ruby.” The narrator absorbs the fact that Ruby is going to pass away soon and that he will be inheriting the bar from her.

RUTHANN GRACZYK read her story of the successes and failures of the meeting of the parents in Liverpool, England, in her fifth book titled “New Day.” She has completed book 1—“Dawn”, book 2—“Afternoon”, book 3—“Evening”, and book 4—“Midnight.”

MIKE RIPLEY shared his story “Nellie” about a mother who lived a long, strong life. The story is told from three points in her lifespan from the viewpoint of her son.

KAREN LAUPER read the chapter Assessing the Damage from her book “Can You Push Me to Heaven?” After a long hospitalization, numerous medical crises, and ongoing nutrition issues, Timmy’s parents begin to deal with other obstacles that affect his life. He must have surgery on his baby teeth to remove decay and cap all of these teeth.

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read her short story “Armed and Dangerous” The comical, but tense story of a husband and wife dealing with airport security while telling her husband to give them the Bazooka—a pocket knife he owned since he was eight, after mailing 200 Bazooka gum wrappers for the prize possession.  

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.

Respectfully Submitted:

CINDY HORGASH 

January 22, 2026

 

WRITE ON HOOSIERS

January 22, 2026

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm

MEMBERS’ PRESENT:

Amy Brailey, Gail Galvan, Ruthann Graczyk, Cindy Horgash, Lisa Keene, Karen Lauper, Trent Pendley, Diane Stratton, Jon Terpstra, and Shirley Vaughan

OLD BUSINESS:

Diane Stratton approved the posted minutes of the January 8, 2026 meeting, and seconded by Cindy Horgash.

Diane Stratton (V. Pres.) reminded members that only one meeting is scheduled for November. There are no meetings scheduled for December because of the member’s Christmas party.  

NEW BUSINESS:

Amy Brailey (Pres.) welcomed former WOH member, Shirley Vaughan, back to the club. This was her first time back in a while.

LITERARY NEWS:

Gail Galvan introduced her Novella, Welcome Home Will Forever. The book is now on sale at Amazon for $6.00. Profits will be donated to the Independent Cat Society.

Amy Brailey has completed her audiobook. She discussed the ins and outs of reserving the recording studio with the Lake County Library IN-audio, draft to digital, and 2-hour reservation blocks during weekdays. This is a free service at the LC Reference Library.

Shirley Vaughan shared correspondence she received from Trilogy Christian Publishing Company, offering packages and pricing for publishing and advertising her books. She discussed the various costs of their services. She also shared that self-published books are not physically sold at Barnes & Noble or other major bookstores.

Diane Stratton announced that Lake County Public Library is inviting readers to join a livestream conversation on January 28^th at 6:00 pm with Liz Moore about her book, “The God of the Woods.”

READINGS:

AMY BRAILEY shared one of her stories to solve titled “Sizing up the Situation” about a girl who goes to investigate a circus master by interviewing animals. She also read Chat GPT’s interesting version of the finished story.

KAREN LAUPER read the chapter Moving Forward from her book “Can You Push Me to Heaven?” Baby Timmy and his family begin moving forward after his long hospitalization and moving back home. Even though the progress is slow, it is progress.

LISA KEENE read an excerpt from her young adult novel, “Nerd.” Yearbook nerd Olivia Stuart attends a Region High School football game and starts to understand the different groups that make up her school.

TRENT D. PENDLEY continued to read from chapter three of his historical fiction, “Lewry Lurie,” after the guys on the Stardust patio fell into headstands. This aerobics exercise made for a photo opportunity for our protagonist, Nathan Franklin. Nathan is intrigued to know about one of his guests’ family history and how they came to the decision to put Toto, Indiana, on the map.

GAIL GALVAN read an excerpt from her book “Welcome Home Will Forever.” It was a story about Will hiding from his new mom.

CINDY HORGASH read her non-fiction story, “You Need One to Enter,” as printed in the next Chicken Soup for the Soul book titled Being Grandma. The story is about the unconditional love between her mother with Alzheimer's Disease and her five-year-old granddaughter, who has the cure-all.

JON TERPSTRA read part five of his short story, “Ruby” which is set at the Riverview Bar. The narrator learns that Ruby will be passing away soon, and he will inherit the bar.

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm.

Respectfully Submitted:

CINDY HORGASH 

 

January 8, 2026

WRITE ON HOOSIERS

January 8, 2026

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm

MEMBERS’ PRESENT:

Amy Brailey, Katherine Flotz, Bernadette Fortuna, Chris Hasara, Shirley Hinman, Cindy Horgash, Karen Lauper, Tom Molnar, Bob Neuman, Judy Neuman, Trent Pendley, Beverly Stanislawski, Diane Stratton, Jon Terpstra, and Shirley Vaughan 

OLD BUSINESS:

Trent Pendley approved the posted minutes of the November 13, 2025 meeting, and seconded by Bernadette Fortuna.

Katherine Flotz (Treas.) reminded members that the 2026 member fees of $25.00 are now due.

Sharon Palmeri (Exec. Director) advised members that the WOH meeting dates from January through November will be the 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays at Bulldog Park and Recreation Building (Crown Point, IN)

Diane Stratton (V. Pres.) informed members that she will continue to send out meeting reminders, but replies and RSVP’s are not needed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Amy Brailey (Pres.) welcomed a former WOH member, Mike Ripley back to the club. Members present introduced themselves.

Tom Molnar discussed Fiverr as an affordable service to hire freelance graphic designers for book covers and illustrations. They can be contacted through Fiverr.com

Amy Brailey announced that author Maurice Broaddus will be speaking to her students. His books include Marvel’s Black Panther: Tales from Wakanda and New Tales of Stephen King’s: The Stand.

LITERARY NEWS:

Gail Galvan sent a reminder that her book Welcome Home Will Forever was released on December 10, 2025. She hopes to attend the next January meeting with books on hand for sale.

Trent Pendley has been invited to speak on Thurs. February 19, 2026, at 1:00 pm at the Hawthorne Park Community Center, 500 Ackerman Drive, Porter, IN.

Chris Hasara introduced information on the NFSPS 2026 Annual Contest and Rules for the National Federation of State Poetry Societies, Inc. Members and Non-members can submit original unpublished poem(s).

Cindy Horgash received a contract with Chicken Soup for the Soul for her short story, You Need One to Enter for their “Being Grandma” book set for release on March 10, 2026.

 READINGS:

JUDY NEUMAN read her poem “Here I Go Again!” about complaining all the time and trying to change her fussy ways.

AMY BRAILEY shared one of her stories to solve titled “Disappearances” about two kids who follow a lost girl after a string of disappearances.

“Medical Conundrums” is a humorous medical poem written and presented by BOB NEUMAN.

SHARON PALMERI read her fictional mystery “Sign of the Times,” where travel across time and space gives cause for a missed meet-up and lingering effects. 

SHIRLEY HINMAN shared her poem, “Myopia.” Usual thoughts were all about me, which is why she couldn’t see the forest for the trees.

TOM MOLNAR read the first chapter, A Maiden, a Prince and a Stable Boy from his novel “Mist on the Moon.” As Cara’s father planned her future, the princess dreamt of something more romantic.

TRENT D. PENDLEY read from Chapter Three of his historical fiction, “Lewry Lurie.” The story, set on June 27, 2011, details the arrival of the real-life Andrew Morris, Jay Weinberg, and Jason Shields, joining the Franklin brothers on the Stardust Patio overlooking Lake Michigan for yoga exercises.

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read her fictional short story “The Richest Man.” The story tells of Stephen Heintzman, a pious man who had often tried, unsuccessfully, to convert his wealthy master, Adolf Dorth, to Christianity.

BERNADETTE FORTUNA shared her short story “The Medallion.” Carla Clayton finds a gold shell-like medallion while strolling on a beach in Alexandria, Egypt. The Legend is that the Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, was wearing a similar one at the time of her death but lost for all time. Like all legends with treasure involved, it has been searched for time and again. Could this medallion be the one?

KAREN LAUPER read the chapter The Comfort of Christmas from her book “Can You Push Me to Heaven?” Tim, as an adult, must continue to navigate medical challenges. He has several strategies to manage stress, but the comfort of Christmas is one of the best.

The meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.

Respectfully Submitted:

CINDY HORGASH