October 8, 2026

October 8, 2026 – Called to Order at 6:08 PM

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Amy Brailey, Katerine Flotz, Gail Galvin, Ruthann Graczyk, Shirley Hinman, Al Koch, Karen Lauper, Tom Molnar, Bob Neuman, Judy Neuman, Sharon Palmeri, Trent D. Pendley, Diane Stratton, and Shirley Vaughan.

AMY BRAILEY asked if anyone had read the minutes.  Trent Pendley and Karen Lauper, among many others, acknowledged having read the minutes.  The minutes were accepted.

NEW BUSINESS:

KAREN LAUPER  recently returned from a road trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where her son, JW, who has a master’s degree in fine arts and creative writing, writes mostly poetry, and has been published before, presented his new book of poems, which he wrote while teaching in Rome.  The presenters discussed what they had written and then read their work.  She wondered whether we could take some of our writing and present it the same way.  Sharon said we could, but we would have to advertise to ensure good attendance.

KATHERINE FLOTZ appeared at a book club meeting at Karen’s house to address attendees, and everyone bought her book. A photo of Katherine, Karen, and Cindy from the meeting was circulated. Katherine also attended an Author’s Fair at the Crown Point Library on September 26, 2026, and sold nine copies of her book.

TRENT PENDLEY went to the Crown Point bar to meet author Greg Stark, who met with a group in the back room for his book presentation, but he didn’t really tell the book's story. He also signed with two publishers who had different prices. Hummingbird Press offered only $200, but their Project Manager, who hadn’t seen the manuscript, tried to sell him something else and asked for more money. He decided not to go with them and had trouble getting his $200 back. He went with Ghostline Publishers, sent them the three-hundred-page Lewry Lurie manuscript last week, and they’ve already edited 100 pages.  He feels good about them so far.

GAIL GALVAN mentioned that our Write-On Hoosiers book has been separated into categories. She was thankful for the cut-and-paste capability. She had questions for several people and got together with them after the meeting.

SHARON PALMERI named all the book categories for us. She is waiting for signatures on the permission forms from several people, then asked if anyone had heard from Lisa and if she intended to be included in the book. She also mentioned that Teibel’s is not closing, and she plans to hold our Christmas party there again this year.

DIANE STRATTON  attended the Book Fair at the Crown Point Library and spoke with author John W. Vander Velden, who could be a potential speaker for our group.

OLD BUSINESS:

No old business presented.

READINGS:

TRENT D. PENDLEY read four pages of the opening of Chapter 6 from his book “Lewry Lurie” historical fiction. In this reading, the protagonists are on their way to an art gallery in Indianapolis and a layover later that night at the Loeb House Inn in Lafayette, and before returning to Crown Point and moving on to Miller Beach, where Nathan is to deliver a short talk on several books set in Northwest Indiana with Jewish topics. The four pages read note the brother’s departure from Crown Point and review early visions of the town square and the Fancher house on East Joliet Street.  Nathan also formulates a dialogue between two late Valparaiso namesakes (Harry Danning & Hermann Gurfinkel) about a swastika campaign that plagued Porter County in the 1990s.

SHIRLEY HINMAN read “Hinge Moments,” a short story about pivotal times that surprise or shock us, when we must make immediate, important decisions that can change our lives, or those of our family and friends, forever.

SHARON PALMERI read her story “On Call,” which is a short story about her experiences when she worked in the Labor and Delivery Department at a local hospital, and how the full moon, “guided by a light that dooms balloon-bellied women to precipitous labor, bombarding hospital nurseries with bundles and bundles of joy.”

AL KOCH read “What Does a Person Stand For,” which is a basic question. What do you stand for? Over time, one answers that question with words, deeds, and actions, revealing one’s character.

TOM MOLNAR read “Megan – Not an Ordinary Girl” a short story about a young girl who gets into prostitution and then decides to leave. She has quite memorable experiences with two men.

KAREN LAUPER read ‘Part 2: Timmy Goes to School,’ from her book “Can You Push Me to Heaven?” Progress has been made in every aspect of Tim’s life.  Although he continues to deal with medical issues, he has accepted and learned to deal with his reality. He and JW become big brothers to their new baby brother.

RUTHANN GRACZYK read the beginning of Chapter 2 of Book 2, “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-1960s in Book 1, “Dawn.” It begins with Keith’s interaction with his family after a sleepless night contemplating his future as a 16-year-old father, and he contends with the continuing sibling rivalry between him and his older sister, Heather. While walking to school, an old friend offers him a ride, which he accepts, and then convinces this former friend to ask his sister on a date for both their benefit.

The Meeting was adjourned at 8:14 PM.

Respectfully submitted:

Ruthann Graczyk