SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

 

 MEMBERS PRESENT:

Shirley Hinman, Sharon Buckman, Sue Becherer, Katherine Flotz, Diane Stratton, Bob Philpot, Al Koch, Cindy Horgash, Audrey Warzyniak, Shirley Vaughan, Ruthann Graczyk, Amy Brailey, Sharon Palmeri, Beverly Stanislawski

 

  

 

OLD BUSINESS:

SHARON PALMERI reminded members that the WOH meetings would be as follows:  The second and fourth Thursdays of each month.  The second Thursday will be at the Merrillville Library from 4:30 to 6:30 P.M. and the fourth Thursday at Pappas Restaurant in Crown Point from 5:30 to 8:30 P.M.

READINGS:

KATHERINE FLOTZ read her one page short story entitled, “WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR EARLIEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES,” the title given to her each week to be published at the end of the year.  This memory related to a plate of home baked cookies she was instructed to take to a neighbor whose dog attacked her.

AL KOCH read his two page short story entitled, “SEPTEMBER.”  The story tells of all the various things September can mean for all the different things in our lives.  For me, the one that states, “September is peaceful easy feelings, porch swings, lawn chairs, and being with those you love.”

SHIRLEY VAUGHAN read two pages of her third novel which begins where her second novel HEAVEN'S PLAN leaves off.  Mary struggles with a possessive husband while caring for their two young children and working full time.

SHIRLEY HINMAN read her 22 line poem entitled, “SUMMERS PAST.” Shirley’s poem relates to her various wonderful memories of sweet smells of a lilac tree and a scene that she wishes she could return to in a summer past.

SHARON BUCKMAN continued reading two pages from her novel, RUNNING ON A TREADMILL.  In this part of the story, Sandy finds out that Eric has discovered where she  is hiding.  Since he is certain that she must be running out of money, he decides to go to her mother’s house.

AUDREY WARZYNIAK read her short story entitled, “BAD BOY,” TOLD YOU SO!  In this part of her story she tries to bring attention to  her husband that their marriage is in trouble.  She is also worried about the various women hanging out with her boys.

CINDY HORGASH read her 1200 word short story entitled, “JITTERBUG.”  The story tells of an older, once chatty, man living in a nursing home who had become withdrawn after losing his wife. After being challenged to compete in a storytelling, he tells of a story happening in his W.W.2 days in the Navy.

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read her one page short story entitled, “THEIR SONG.”  The story begins with an older woman putting money in miniature table jukebox.  When she comes to C-12, Their Song, the familiar rhythm took her back to the wonderful times and the summer that promised eternal love.

AMY BRAILEY continued reading Chapter 27 of her novel, JON EVERETT and the HALL OF HISTORY.  In this part of the novel, Jon, as part of George Washington’s army, attacked Fort Duquesne and is now on the run.

SHARON PALMERI continued reading the part of her memoir dating from 1966-67, entitled “THE INDEPENDENT BIRD.”  In this memoir, Sharon is introduced, by a classmate, to a local Dee Jay who worked at Gary’s WLTH radio station.”  He introduces her to the life of a radio station Dee Jay. They dated a short time and he tried to encourage her to go into the radio field. She never saw him again until decades later when she was introduced to him as the new station engineer of a local digital radio station she was working at.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted:

SHARON BUCKMAN

August 26, 2021

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Sharon Buckman, Kathy Flotz, Shirley Hinman, Mike Riley, Sharon Palmeri, Beverly Stanislawski, Amy Brailey, Gail Galvan, Diane Stratton, Audrey Warzniak, Danielle Johnson, and Cindy Horgash,

GUESTS: Danielle Johnson, Cindy Horgash  

 

 

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS/LITERARY NEWS

Many members and guests working on writings.  Danielle Johnson will bring copies of her book to the next meeting; Amy Brailey finished her historical fiction book, Jon Everett and the Hall of History; Mike Riley working on a 70’s story and marketing for his  Lake Stories book. Beverly Stanislawski won three awards from Ohio Poetry Society for her poems; Sharon Palmeri continues her memoir project. Sharon will also be teaching some writing classes at the Crown Point Public Library; and Cindy Horgash sent some of her stories to Chicken Soup for the Soul.

OLD BUSINESS:  Minutes approved for July 22, and August 3, meetings by Kathy Flotz and Sharon Buckman.

 

READINGS:

 SHARON BUCKMAN read from Chapter 2 from her book Running on a Treadmill. Sandy returned to Indianapolis to stay at her mother’s house since she could no longer remain in Clifton, hiding from her dangerous boyfriend, Eric. During the bus ride, she meets a handsome stranger. 

KATHERINE FLOTZ presented another entry for her Story Worth, “What inventions have had the biggest impact on our day-to-day life Life? ” She chose hot and cold running water from a faucet. These sources of water helped her family and her with laundry, dishes, and baths.

SHIRLEY HINMAN told a real-life story about finding a lost, autistic boy, “He Was Lost, but Now He is Found.” During the search, Shirley heard two rather miraculous voices directing where to go to look for the boy. And, she found him!

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read three award-winning poems: A haiku about a scarlet salmon swimming upstream, H.M.; humorous quatrains in “Several Cross Words for Your Crosswords,” tells problems finding crosswords hidden in newspaper, H.M.; 2nd place, “The Wolfe’s Bane,” a fun retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. The wolf survives and wants to report the other characters to PETA.

AMY BRAILEY presented Chapter 26 from her historical fiction book. Earlier sleeping in history class earns Jon a job to learn about George Washington. In an old attic, he finds keys, walks through Washington’s portrait, and ends up in the French Indian War. Soldier Treby received shots in both legs. Jon carries him a dangerous distance. They finally find help, but learn they have orders from General Braddock to march 60 miles to meet another troop.

MIKE RILEY presented “The Group” a 70’s short story. While the characters seem realistic, Mike confessed all were made up names, except his. Each character has a special “talent” making him unique. There is “Dollar” Bill who comes from money; Alice, not real name, who rolls joints and is calm; fast-talking, but short, Devin who might kill someone, but is not with us anymore; Andrew, not Andy, the idea man, always sure of himself, except…and Mike who is pretty average.

 GAIL GALVAN read two poems: “Passage” and “That Nagging Feeling or Worry Wart.” “Passage” tells about time passing and our desire to “stop the clock, rewind, or fast forward.” She tells us to “cherish all extra days and nights.”

In “Worry Wart” we learn that nagging feelings are tough to escape. “Faith, not fear works, sometimes.”  We are encouraged to “live in the present” Life may change is a split second, “happiness can return to a traumatized heart.”

SHARON PALMERI continued presenting parts of her Memoirs including her first boyfriend, Ray. They were close until he left for war. Upon returning, Ray was not the same. At a dance she once attended, a snowflake decoration had the name John on it. Little did Sharon know that she would meet two John’s and eventually marry the last one. During a 40^th class reunion her husband met Ray and they seemed to get along fine. Photos of people mentioned were also shown.

 

Meeting adjourned 8:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Beverly Stanislawski

 

August 3, 2021

 

 

 MEMBERS PRESENT:

Katherine Flotz, Sharon Palmeri, Diane Stratton, Shirley Hinman, Beverly Stanislawski, Gail Galvan, Hardarshan Valia, and Shirley Vaughn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Sharon announced that the Lake County Public Library would be available for our meetings, starting in September. We will meet there rather than the Crown Point Library. Meeting times will be earlier than before, 4-6:30. Right now, our sessions at Pappas will still be held on the 4^th Thursdays  at the same time with the exception of Thanksgiving. Sharon will email new schedules.

 

LITERARY/OTHER NEWS:

Valia related learning a lot from attending four-day Zoom meetings with a variety of authors. Shirley Vaughan is working on her third book. Gail has helped to collect money for the Hilltop Neighborhood Food Pantry. Beverly entered a few more poetry contests, Sharon has been busy organizing her memoirs, and Shirley Hinman enjoyed time at her family reunion.

READINGS:

KATHERINE FLOTZ read her August entry for Story Worth entitled “What Things are You Proudest of in Your Life?” Her list included her three children, publication of her memoirs, “A Pebble in My Shoe,” and establishing the “Batchka Club” with her husband George. At that club, they fellowshipped with other newcomers from their Old Country home.

DIANE STRATTON told of how we could “Do Unto Others.” In her story, we were introduced to Mrs. R., a special part of the community and of Diane’s life. They met at church, and Mrs. R soon became a close friend, almost like family. After the lady’s death, Diane noticed a “FREE” garage sale occurring at her home. Although the sale was almost over, Diane managed to select some religious items which she will respect, cherish, and use for special remembrances of Mrs. R.

SHIRLEY HINMAN offered her poem, “Quieted.” We heard of the love of a mother, but we were also told that Jesus loves us even  more. He calms our fears, fills us with the Bread of Life, and quiets our soul as a weaned child. We just need to learn to wait and to depend on God.

 

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read her short story, “Gladly, the Cross-eyed Bear.” This cub experienced a variety of difficulties because of his eye problem. Although he always saw double, he still managed to be a hero, saving his sister from drowning. The bruise he acquired from this heroic deed may or may not cause his double vision to be healed. 

HARDARSHAN VALIA presented his poem, “Healers of the Night.” He related an experience when he saw a variety of audiences enjoying jazz musicians. Some jazz aficionados included a mother swaying to the music while holding her down-syndrome baby and a Great Dane sitting quietly at her feet. They all seemed to be ”soaking in the rhythm of oneness permeating the sky.”

SHARON PALMERI read from  her memoirs episode about her high school graduation and living with her grandmother while searching for work. Sharon told of her first job as a waitress, which was short lived because of the unfairness of the tipping procedures. Becoming a nurse’s aide was her second employment. This job was more to her liking, even though an unusual medical procedure involving maggots grossed her out.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Beverly Stanislawski