November 10, 2022

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Sharon Buckman, Katherine Flotz, Mike Musak, Judy Neuman, Bob Neuman, Diane Stratton, Ruthann Graczyk, Gail Galvan, Beverly Stanislawski, Sharon Palmeri, Amy Brailey, Cindy Horgash

 OLD BUSINESS:

Katherine Foltz and Sharon Buckman approved the October 27, 2022 meeting minutes.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Sharon Palmeri asked members present for a head count of how many will attend the Christmas party at Teibels Restaurant (Schererville, IN) on December 7, 2022, at 6:00 pm.  Katherine Flotz recorded the members' names who will attend, and suggested that Sharon send a reminder e-mail to those not at today's meeting.   

Author MARK MARIMEN (Pastor Mark Wilkins) spoke at our WOH meeting.  He explained how his childhood introduction to spooky stories led him to research and compile legends and tales for his Haunted Indiana Book Series, Vol. 1-4, Weird Indiana, and Haunted Travels of Indiana.  He gave WOH writers inspirational advice on following their hearts with each writing endeavor.  Mark claims his writing experience has been one blessing after another. 

LITERARY NEWS:

KATHERINE FLOTZ talked about her warm reception while speaking at Life Point Church (Pastor Bob Neuman's church).  She sold (8) more “Pebble in My Shoe” books. 

READINGS:

RUTHANN TODHUNTER GRACZK read two pages from the first chapter of her YA novel "Dawn of a New Day."  The novel is about a troubled girl who finds herself falling for a stranger that unexpectedly enters her life.

AMY BRAILEY shared a story from her Don't Leave Me Hangin' book of stories to be continued and solved.  She read the short story "A Grave Situation" about a boy who learns the history of a Civil War battlefield only to encounter a ghost.

JUDY NEUMAN read an article she wrote titled "Fight on, Team!" This was a humorous reflection of her junior high football team and their fight song, "Bite on!"…er…" Fight on, Beavers!" (Which Judy graciously sang for us).  

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read a short story titled "One Scary Night" about two boys who plan to trick an old miser, but their plans fall through when one of the boy's mothers saves the day.

SHARON BUCKMAN read a poem she had written several years ago and intends to include in her Christmas greetings this year. "Backyard Haven" is a poem about the beauty of winter she sees from her window. 

CINDY HORGASH read a children's picture book, "Murphy O'Shay is Out of Luck" a retold Irish folktale about a noodlehead character searching for his missing luck.

BOB NEUMAN read, "Was I Insane or Just Plain Stupid?" This is an accurate account of trying over and over again to make bank deposits with a bogus bill at the ATMs.

SHARON PALMERI read part two of her memoir, "When Doves Cry."  The second chapter, titled A Rude Awakening (June 1986), follows up on her deceased mother's warning to "Check your breasts." Now, she is reflecting on her womanhood while facing a mastectomy.

 

Respectfully Submitted:

CINDY HORGASH 

 

October 27, 2022

 

 

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Beverly Stanislawski, Sharon Buckman, Sharon Palmeri, Diane Stratton, Katherine Flotz, Cindy Horgash, Mike Musak, Ruthann Graczyk, Gail Galvan

OLD BUSINESS:

Katherine Foltz and Beverly Stanislawski approved the October 13, 2022, meeting minutes.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Teibels Restaurant (Schererville, IN) was chosen for the Christmas party on December 7, 2022, at 6:00 pm.  A Tiebels gift card will be given to each paid-up WOH member (only) who attends.  Sharon Palmeri will send information to members to register in advance.  A count of members and their guests will be taken at our next meeting on Thur., November 10^th. 

Members also discussed how much they liked the Bulldog Park facility for their meeting.  it was suggested that coffee be supplied at the next meeting on November 10th.

Reminder: On Thurs., November 10^th, we have invited author MARK MARIMEN (Pastor Mark Wilkins) to speak at our WOH meeting.  He will explain how he compiled and published the stories and legends for his Haunted Indiana Book Series, Vol. 1-4, Weird Indiana, and Haunted Travels of Indiana.    

LITERARY NEWS:

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI stated that her poem “Bubblicious” won 1^st Place, with two other poems winning 3 Honorable Mentions in a 2022 Florida poetry contest.  AL KOCH’s article “Hands of Character” was published in The Times newspaper Forum section on October 16.  KATHERINE FLOTZ announced she has a speaking engagement on November 8^th at 10:30 am at Life Point Church (Pastor Bob Neuman’s church).  CINDY HORGASH announced her book signing on November 19^th at Kolas Christian Bookstore (Highland, IN) from 10:00-noon for her “Underfoot” story in Chicken Soup for the Soul book.

READINGS:

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read four poems, three of which won her the previous prizes mentioned above.  The first, “Bubblicious,” tells a man’s battle with blowing bubbles.  The second, “Mac and Cheese,” tells of her love for her favorite dish.  Third, “A Slice of Pie “ is a minute poem about death getting a slice of life’s pie.  Fourth, “Beware the Baba Yaga,” tells about the danger of little children around witches.

CINDY HORGASH read two pages of her short story, “Day-O.” This story tells of the unexplainable knowing and premonitions that surrounded her mother’s death, allowing her to be present to see her mom’s spirit pass from this life to the next.

RUTHANN TODHUNTER GRACZK read two pages from the first chapter of her YA novel “Dawn of a New Day.”  The novel is about a troubled girl who finds herself falling for a stranger that unexpectedly enters her life.

MIKE MUSAK read two pages from what may or may not be part of a screenplay or novel. “The Bank Job,” tells of a stand-off between the bank manager who refuses to open the bank’s vault while the gang members threaten to take one life at a time until he does.  It comes down to who has the last bluff!

SHARON PALMERI read part one of her memoir, “When Doves Cry.”  The first chapter, titled The Big Scare (May 1986), tells of the dreams she began having after leaving the nursing program for education.  Her dreams of dead relatives and her deceased mother’s warning to “Check your breasts” led Sharon to new discoveries.

DIANE STRATTON read two pages of her short story titled “Mercy.”   This true story details the kindness and generosity of friends who reach out individually to help a mutual friend overwhelmed with discouraging troubles.  The results stack up to be an inspirational lesson for all of us.  

 

Respectfully Submitted:

CINDY HORGASH 

OCTOBER 13, 2022

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Beverly Stanislawski, Sharon Buckman, Katherine Flotz, Bob Neuman, Judy Neuman, Al Koch, Amy Brailey, Shirley Hinman, Diane Stratton

OLD BUSINESS:

The minutes for the September 22, 2022 meeting was approved by Bob and Judy Neuman.

NEW BUSINESS:

Restaurants for the December Christmas party were discussed by the various members.  It was decided that the only ones that were acceptable for various reasons were Schoops in Crown Point, the Olive Garden in Merrillvillle and Teibels in Schererville.  The one chosen will be discussed on at the October 27^th meeting.

LITERARY NEWS:

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI stated that she had won 4 Honorable Mentions and second place in an Indiana poetry contest.

READINGS:

KATHERINE FLOTZ read two pages from her husband, George’s, story after W.W. 2 in Austria and then coming to America, his draft into the army and his service in Korea.

BOB NEUMAN read a trio of poems which included, “Where Did You Go, Little Piggy?  Which explored whimsically the place to which a little piggy disappeared. (2) “Four Truths,” a lighthearted poem in which the words in each of the four lines rhymes, (3)”Fife, Barney Fife,” a poem about Barney Fife, the deputy sheriff on the Andy Griffith television program.

JUDY NEUMAN read “A Limerick Duet,” which consisted of two limericks.  The first, “Careless Carol,” was written by her when she was in eighth grade in 1957 as part of a school safety emphasis.  The second one, “A Cat Tail,” was written in October 2022, about their at Rusty.

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read her five poems that had won her the previous prizes mentioned above.  The first, “Sea Battle,” concerning the ebb and flow of the sea.  The second, “Promises Fulfilled,” tells of life’s renewal with various seasons.  Third, “Mardi Gras,” concerns the party that’s held every year on Bourbon in New Orleans. Fourth, “Marriage Never Dies,” tells of a husband truly missed even after his death several years before.  Fifth, “Philpot’s Got a Lot,” telling of a Kentucky town and it’s budget friendly community.

SHARON BUCKMAN continued reading two pages from her novel, Running on a Treadmill.  This part of the story told of Sandy and her boyfriend finally finding her  in Seattle without knowing that her ex-boyfriend, who had been following her, is close behind.”

AL KOCH read two pages of his short story, ”Saga of Dicky Duck.” Casablanca is a film about love, intrigue, adventure and a surprise ending, as is the saga of Dicky Duck.

AMY BRAILEY read two pages of her partly unfinished short story entitled, “ #10 Maple Street.” The story tells of a cop in a normally quiet neighborhood that is assigned to check out an abandoned house.

SHIRLEY HINMAN read her poem which depicts the events surrounding Grandpa’s death, including the “Old Clock.” This is a fictional poem followed by a sequel entitled, “The Empty Chair.”

 

Respectfully Submitted:

 

SHARON BUCKMAN