September 10, 2026

 

WRITE ON HOOSIERS

September 10, 2026

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Amy Brailey, Andrew Cummins, Nick Dapkus, Bernadette Fortuna, Katherine Flotz, Ruthann Graczyk, Cindy Horgash, Al Koch, Karen Lauper, Bob Neuman, Judy Neuman, Sharon Palmeri, Trent D. Pendley, Diane Stratton, Jon Terpstra

OLD BUSINESS:

Sharon Palmeri (Exec. Dir.) discussed photos and title options for the WOH book. Sharon passed around AI samples from her book for ideas for the cover and title. Trent Pendley said that he does AI for chapter covers. Amy Brailey used an AI photo for her John Everett book but had trouble because you’re not allowed to use real-looking children or teen photos.

Trent Pendley suggested the cover photo should be specific to our area, while Amy Brailey (Pres.) recommended the 250th Anniversary of the United States be on the cover somewhere.

NEW BUSINESS:

Amy Brailey (Pres.) received an email from Gregory Stark with Oneirion Press. He is releasing a trilogy and wondered if he could advertise and possibly speak at one of our meetings. He also asked if WOH paid a speaker fee. Amy asked members if she should write him back and let him know that we charge a yearly membership fee, and he would be allowed to read his material after becoming a member. Members agreed that he should follow the same guidelines as our members.

Sharon Palmeri (Exec. Dir.) shared a photo for our next story prompt. If members wish to participate, they can read their stories on October 22^nd. Amy Brailey’s class will also be attending and will offer them the chance to participate.

LITERARY NEWS:

Diane Stratton (Vice Pres.) announced that the Crown Point Library will host an Unearth Creative Aging Workshop for 6 weeks, running September 18-October 23, 2026.

READINGS:

AMY BRAILEY read her poem, “The Roll Call Came Too Early,” about a student leaving for Bahrain in the military.

JON TERPSTRA read Part 3 of his short story “Riverbillie’s.” He details what happened after the Building Commissioner shuts down Riverbillie’s and foreshadows the guys' next business venture.

TRENT D. PENDLEY read the opening pages of Chapter 5 of his historical fiction, Lewry Lurie.” The protagonists, Nathan Franklin and his brother, are home alone along the Indiana Dunes beach at the Brighton House. While Brad is still sleeping, Nathan begins re-reading a friend’s (Neil Gordon) trilogy, The Company You Keep, that is being made into a motion picture in Vancouver that fall by Robert Redford. He mentioned that he has selected the cover of the novel, securing permission from works in the Jewish Museum in Berlin, and a Misch Kohn 1957 Lion, and a sculpture by the late Egon Weiner.

AL KOCH read his short story, “No Deposit, No Return.” Remembering the days when recycling was in its infancy. Neighborhood boys in need of funds to attend the Saturday afternoon movie matinee searched alleys, trash cans, and empty lots for discarded glass pop bottles for their 2-cent deposit. These young scavenging moviegoers were rewarded for their recycling efforts with Many Happy Returns.

KAREN LAUPER read from her book, “Can You Push Me to Heaven?” Timmy begins his 2^nd year of public education as his mom must learn to navigate the special education system. At ten years old, this is the strongest that Timmy has ever been.

BOB NEUMAN shared his short story, “Memories Forever Lost,” about his stepsister’s battle with Alzheimer’s.

SHARON PALMERI read a short story, “I Made it Through the Rain.”  The story was about waiting for concert tickets during adverse weather conditions.

RUTHANN GRACZYK read the continuing saga of the Slade family, titled “Noon,” which focuses on the life of son Keith, the third child of Christine and Mark Slade, who met in Liverpool, England, in the mid-1960’s in Book 1 – “Dawn.” In Book 2, the Slade family is now living in Darien, Connecticut, where Mark is a highly respected architectural engineer in the New York area. The story continues with Mark Slade’s proposal to the family of his 15-year-old son’s pregnant girlfriend.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 pm.

Respectfully Submitted:

CINDY HORGASH 

August 27, 2026

WRITE ON HOOSIERS

August 27, 2026

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Beverly Biehr, Amy Brailey, Sharon Buckman, Andrew Cummins, Katherine Flotz, Gail Galvan, Ruthann Graczyk, Chris Hasara, Shirley Hinman, Cindy Horgash, Al Koch, Sharon Palmeri, Trent D. Pendley, Diane Stratton, Shirley Vaughn, Nick Dapkus, and Lesley Klauk (guest)

OLD BUSINESS:

SHARON PALMERI (Exec. Dir.) stated she had a good response to submissions for the WOH book.  She is waiting for a few more personal bios and story submissions.  There will be further discussion on the book’s title.

NEW BUSINESS:

LESLEY KLAUK (guest) introduced herself and spoke of her interest in writing.  In turn, members introduced themselves and shared their writing experiences.

LITERARY NEWS:

DIANE STRATTON (Vice Pres.) announced that the Crown Point Library will host the first-ever author fair on September 27, from 10-2.

CHRIS HASARA received 1^st Place and 2 honorable mentions from the National Federation of State Poetry Societies contest.  Chris has also been chosen for Symbiosis: Poets & Visual Artists in Collaboration with the Indiana Poetry Society.

READINGS:

SHIRLEY HINMAN read her poems, “The Detour” and “Memories of Childhood.” We are often called to go into new pathways unknown to us.  Some are comfortable, and others are not, but they will lead us to our testing nevertheless.

ANDREW B. CUMMINS: “My First Book” is a short piece describing how, in his search to get himself and others closer to the Lord, he was able to write his first book.

SHARON BUCKMAN continued to read from her book “Canopy of Leaves.” While washing clothes in the river, Anne encounters a strange man behind her.  The man turns out to be Tom’s father, whom he hasn’t seen since childhood.  He later tries to talk Anne into leaving with him but encounters a terrible death instead.

BEVERLY BIEHR shared the back cover and about the author page of her newly published book “Happy Retirement Years!  Inspiration from Bible Seniors.”

DIANE STRATTON read her short story “That Concert of My Dreams,” describing a music concert where she has a surprise interaction with a famous musical artist but also another turn of events.

SHARON PALMERI’s “From Old Chickens Come Fresh Eggs” is a short story about some of her happiest childhood memories, beginning at her grandmother’s little house, where chickens supplied breakfast, gardens filled the table, and love was measured with ordinary things.

RUTHANN GRACZYK read the continuing saga of the Slade family, titled “Noon,” which focuses on the life of son Keith, the third child of Christine and Mark Slade, who met in Liverpool, England, in the mid-1960’s in Book 1 – “Dawn.” In Book 2, the Slade family moves from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, while four of their five children are young.  They now live in Darien, Connecticut, where Mark, a highly respected architectural engineer in the New York area, owns a flourishing business.  The following is the beginning of a chapter in which 15-year-old son Keith reveals to his parents and siblings that his girlfriend is pregnant.

AL KOCH read his poem titled “Banded.” Rarely does one turn their back on people they meet for the first time.  On occasion, however, it is necessary in order to leave one’s troubles behind.

CHRIS HASARA shared (3) poems.  The first, “Sandhill Cranes,” is a poem about the migration of the birds.  “Hot Cocoa Beach” is a poem about the slice of heaven that is Florida’s east coast.  “Quiet Light” is a poem about a grandmother’s wisdom shared in silent action.

TRENT D. PENDLEY read the finale of chapter four of his “Lewry Lurie” historical fiction.  The Franklin brothers, disembarking from a two-hour meeting aboard a yacht in Michigan City, find themselves hungry and stop for a meal, where they hear crude language from the kitchen and a server with cigarette breath.  Arriving back at the Brighton House mansion overlooking the beach, Nathan reads the new publication of a friend’s book, while his brother Brad plans for their next late-night meal.

NICHOLAS DAPKUS read an excerpt from Chapter 2 of his fiction “This is a Beginning.” Arkhaios, an orange pug teacher, is having a private music lesson with Alrex, a little dark purple tyrannosaurus with pink stripes.  Alrex always wanted to play the banjo, so Arkhaios had one made for him.  He works with Alrex to get used to his banjo while reminiscing about his beginnings as a teacher.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Respectfully Submitted:

CINDY HORGASH