MINUTES FOR APRIL 20, 2011

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Sharon Buckman, Sharon Jesik, George Miga, Jane Burns, Beverly Stanislawski, Pam Gonzalez,
Lisa Groszek, Mike Musak, Sandra Nantais, Bill Burns, Laurie Chase, Kelly Chase
GUESTS PRESENT:

Robert Durling

NEWS:

1. GEORGE MIGA stated he has been working both of his novels, "Spin Doctor" and "Medal of
Dishonor."

2. PAMELA GONZALEZ has entered a 500 word, or less, children's story contest. The sponsor is Cheerios and the winner will have the honor of having the small book published and placed in
each box of cereal.

3. JANE BURNS stated she has been working on her book "Atalanta".

4. BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI stated she received a rejection letter concerning a recent poem she had sent in.

5. LISA GROSZEK has been working on her novel "Above and Below" and stated she is about one chapter away from finishing.

6. MIKE MUSAK has been busy working on his screen play, "The Plant."

7. SANDY NANTAIS stated she has been busy writing poetry and doing photographic work.

8. BILL BURNS, who became a member today, stated he has been busy playing "free cell" on his computer. He and his wife are also planning a three week trip, first to China and then Alaska.

9. SHARON JESIK has been busy writing some poetry and working on her novel, "Corn Dancer."

10. LAURIE CHASE has been working with her niece revising her novel, “Dual Heritage."

11. KELLY CHASE has been busy with her school work and writing some poetry.

12. Guest ROBERT DURLING graduated from a junior college on the south side of Chicago. He worked in the college newspaper, which started him writing. He them attended Northwestern Univ. and majored in journalism. Wrote various plays as well as for radio and was in WW II, where he purchased all the black cloth for Patton's funeral. He is a comedy writer and is working on a book called, "Life is Like Eggs, Scrambled or Sunnyside Up."


FYI:

Sharon Palmeri, Katherine Flotz, Jackie Huppenthal and Judy Whitcomb were not in attendance at the meeting this evening because they are attending the PoPP (poetry awards for children) event at Lake Street school.

Immediately after the PoPP event Sharon Palmeri will go to Indianapolis to be a panel judge on literature/writing for the Indiana Arts Commission, where several writers will be chosen to receive state grant money later this year.

READINGS:

GEORGE MIGA continued with his novel, "Medal of Dishonor." In this part of the story, Cordell Jackson, a Negro war hero who shined shoes for a living and had been overlooked for the Medal of Honor, managed to stop a robbery. The potential robbery then turned to murder as a policeman was murdered and the gun then turned on Cordell as it ended.

JANE BURNS continued with Chapter 2 of her novel, "Atalanta." The story took a diversion from the young girl that was being mothered by a bear to two twin wolves who could talk to each other.
As the story continued, Tay and Kah, the twin bears, managed to kill Baba, the King of Beasts. The killing proved to be a disaster since from that point on none of the animals were able to talk again.

SHARON BUCKMAN continued with her true story, "A Family Murder." In this part of the story, her brother arrived from Florida to find the investigation of his murdered son already underway. Following the funeral, one of the largest she had ever seen, the family discovered that the murdered victims stepson had already been arrested and the police were suspecting other family members.

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read a short story that she had written several years prior and had taken first place in a Christian Writers contest in Tennessee. The poem, entitled "The Passover Lamb," began with a young boy trying to take his lamb to the Passover as a sacrifice for his family. When the lamb ran away the young boy sought the help of a stranger to find him. The story ended with them witnessing Jesus being taken to the cross.

LISA GROSZEK continued with her novel, "Above and Below." After being told that her family was in danger, Elizabeth awaits the arrival of her niece, Clarissa, hoping she can shed some light on why they are in danger. They come to the mutual opinion that it involves the previously murdered Dominic, who they had to murder fifteen years prior.

MIKE MUSAK brought another of his humorous screen plays entitled, "The Plant." After assigning speaking parts to several of the members, we again enjoyed Mike's humor as it involved the conversations of various employees of the plant sitting at Tony's Tiny Tap.

SANDY NANTAIS read her four page memoir entitled, "Dyngus Day," a polish tradition celebrated on the Monday following Easter in Poland. Explaining that her polish family formerly practiced this when living in Poland she explained that it involved polish boys awakening girls with a bucket of water on their heads and striking them about the legs with switches from a willow - this was for girls they liked.

BILL BURNS related how he started this story several years prior when traveling under the Golden Gate Bridge. After several mishaps, involving the loss of his pages, he finally continued with the story he entitled "Bridge." The story involves a widower sitting on a park bench admiring the Golden Gate Bridge and being approached by a woman of "questionable intentions." It ended with the man finally going with her to "her place."

SHARON JESIK continued with her novel, "Corn Dancer." This part of her story involves the main character, Luck, entering the front door of his house with his male friend, Gar. They discovered a pungent smell and smoke and upon entering their bedroom found an image of a very large snake that had been "blasted" into their ceiling. They also found changes had been made, again,. to the picture of Corn Dancer.

LAURIE CHASE continued with her novel, "Fast Forward." In this part of her novel, Kelly O’Callaghan was told that somehow she had been moved 500 yrs. into the future and was aboard a spaceship. Since everyone on the spaceship was as confused as she was, she was told that she would just have to wait, and work, until they could contact another ship that could possibly give her some answers about somehow getting back to her family.

KELLY CHASE read the poem she had just written, entitled "Storm." The poem told of the
"frightening beauty" of lightning and thunder, engaging conversations between the members of all our recent storms.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 P.M.

Respectfully submitted:

Sharon Buckman

MINUTES FOR APRIL 6, 2011

Think Spring!!


MEMBERS PRESENT:

Beverly Stanislawski, Sharon Buckman, Kathy Flotz, Jane Burns, Sandra Nantais, Tom Spencer,
Sharon Jesik, Pamela Gonzalez, George Miga, Jackie Huppenthal, Lisa Groszek, Sharon Palmeri, Neil Bedeker, Audrey Warzyniak, Cathy Dziubla, Jessica Bard, Art Wilkerson, Mike Musak, Laurie Chase, Kelly Chase

GUESTS PRESENT:

William Burns

NEWS:

1. MIKE MUSAK stated he hasn't been able to do any writing lately due to illness.

2. JACKIE HUPPENTHAL has entered two of her poems to the Edge of the Prairie magazine. She also stated her and her family are in the midst of planning an Alaskan vacation (we're all envious).

3. GEORGE MIGA stated he recently went to Wheaton, Ill. to meet with a history buff who specializes in the history of General Grant and Lee. He also mentioned that this person does impersonations of Presidents Ford, Lincoln, Nixon as well as an excellent impersonation of Lyndon Johnson, complete with his special "vocabulary."

4. LISA GROSZEK has been busy working on her sequel, "Above and Below," and is presently on
Chapter 14. She also stated that she entered one of her short stories, "Avoidance," online with
Weebly.com. She would appreciate any constructive comments from her readers.

5. JESSICA BARD stated she recently found a dog, a young pit bull, and is trying to find a home for it, this has taken time away from her writing.

6. SHARON JESIK brought a small book of painting illustrations by John Fincher, who is the person who inspired her to write her present novel, "Corn Dancer."

7. TOM SPENCER stated that on April 16th the Lowell Public Library will be hosting a reading of poems by Emily Dickinson. Tom also stated that on Monday, April 11th, the Lowell Poetry Group will be featured, at ten minute intervals, on 89.l F.M. radio since this is National Poetry month.

8. SANDRA NANTAIS has been busy writing poetry as well as visiting Plymouth, IN., taking images for her various photography clubs.

9. ARTHUR WILKERSON stated he finally has a workable E-mail address, something he has had a problem with in the past. He also has been busy researching articles and submitting them to various magazines.

10. AUDREY WARZYNIAK stated she felt she was finally able to return to Write On Hoosiers following the death of her mother a few months prior. She has been busy writing some poetry and wanted to ask some of the members what they felt was an advantage to having a blog.

11.PAMELA GONZALEZ has been busy planning a wedding shower for her daughter who is to be married on April 30th. This has left her with little time for writing.

13. NEIL BEDEKER has been busy working on a web site to promote his book. Lisa Groszek suggested he try weebly.com and Sharon Palmeri suggested godaddy.com to look for domains and web site help.

14, JANE BURNS stated she has been working hard on her book "Atalanta."

15. BILL BURNS has been busy writing short stories which he hopes to publish as a collection.

16. KATHY FLOTZ stated her and her husband, George, have a speaking engagement (for the 13th time) on Tues., April 12th for the history class at Purdue University. They also have another speaking engagement in Beecher, Ill. on May 12th, in between these engagements she is having cataract surgery - not sure what she's doing in her spare time, ha.

17. BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI stated she has been staying at home trying to stay well. She has also been sending in a few poems to various national magazines.

18. CATHY DZIUBLA has just recently returned from visiting her children in Maryland to find that her son is coming to visit her from Kentucky. She has not had much time for writing.

19. LAURIE CHASE stated she has been trying to re-adjust her life following her dad's death a few weeks ago. She has begun writing again.

20. KELLY CHASE has been busy studying and working on her novel, "The Ring."

21. SHARON BUCKMAN stated she has been busy helping her husband with fix-up chores at their cabin, which has left little time for writing.

22. SHARON PALMERI has been busy working with the Indiana Writers Consortium on the magazine for the PoPP awards night at Lake Street School in Crown Pont on April 20. She is also working with the Indiana Arts Council, looking over grant applications Sharon was asked by the council to help critique entries for the April 21st literature panel for the individual artist judging .

READINGS:

PAM GONZALEZ read a short story entitled "I Love History," a humorous memoir of her early days in a catholic school. The refreshing memoir told of the various outfits they were required to wear, etc., and ended in a child's view of the death of a President.

NEIL BEDEKER began with reading two pages of the beginning of his book, "Early Retirement." His novel is about a high school teacher, Mitch Baden, who gets into trouble after accidentally walking into the girl's dressing room and finding one of his students partially undressed.

JANE BURNS continued with her book, "Atalanta/Ursa Specularis." The story concerns a young girl who was abandoned by her father, a King who wanted only sons, and was found by a female bear named Ursula. The baby girl was nursed by the bear, along with her cubs, through hibernation. As the story continued the young three year old girl got separated from her bear mother when attacked by bees.

BILL BURNS read his 360 word short story entitled, "In Your She Disappears Again Dream," a story inspired by the dream poetry of Richard Hugo. The story tells of meeting a fellow classmate who was working as a bell cap at a luxery hotel; a classmate who he thought was an interior architect.

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read her four stanza poem entitled, "Nights Full Pregnant with Evil." The poem, inspired by Psalm 7-16, tells of various modern "evil things," starting with mankind’s birthing.

CATHY DZIUBLA read her "ghazel style" poem entitled, "Aliens." The poem tells of various green lights, coming at night and mysteriously disappearing, asking if it could be possible they are coming to ponder man's evolution.

LAURIE CHASE continued with her novel, "Fast Forward." In this continuation of her novel, Kelly O'callaghan is told that she is on a space ship, 500 years ahead of the time she was suddenly abducted from earth, and is as baffled as the people on the space ship.

KELLY CHASE read from her novel, "The Ring." In this part of her novel the young teen-age girl, Kristine, is taking her friend into various dress shops where she is reluctant to go. Her friend tells her that she feels Kristine has changed, acting weird. This makes Kristine wonder if she can change her friend's mind by using the magical ring.

SANDRA NANTAIS presented three beautiful pictures, accompanied with poems. The first picture starts with the line, "Winter's Sleeping Tree," and shows a shallow stream surrounding an old mis-shaped tree. The second picture reveals an old weathered tree standing in a field with the first line reading "Skeletal Bone Bare," and was cut down shortly after the picture was taken. The third picture, a curious white goat, has a first line," The Other Day While On A Walk."

SHARON JESIK continued with her novel, "Corn Dancer." In this part of the novel they talk about the Avanyu pot being made by the Corn Maiden and who died a tragic death shortly after it was made. The friends of Dotty were beginning to wonder if having the pot was what led to her death and they all felt the presence of both the Corn Maiden and Dotty on their way back home.

TOM SPENCER brought his short story, "Residual Guilt." The story, an exercise in using all five senses, started with a man going into a bar after finishing his job for the day and witnessing a murder. The murderer, a jealous wife who walked in an discovered her husband with another woman, ended up shooting the female bartender.

JESSICA BARD read the end of her short story, "The First Snow." The story ended with Whit going back to his home, trying to figure out what happened to the murdered friend he found. Falling asleep he dreamt he saw her, standing on a frozen lake and covered in a white dust. After she approached him she kissed his cheek; when he awoke he found the cherry print of lips on his cheek, formed by her blood.

LISA GROSZEK read three pages of her sequel, "Above and Below." In this part, Chapter One, Elizabeth hears the voice of her deceased husband, Dominic. He tries to warn her that she and her entire family are in danger, including his son.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 P.M.

Respectfully submitted:

Sharon Buckman

MINUTES FOR MARCH 16, 2011

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Pam Gonzalez, Sharon Buckman, Sharon Jesik, Judy Whitcomb, George Miga, Lisa Groszek, Sandra Nantais, Jane Burns, Laurie Chase, Kelly Chase

GUESTS PRESENT:
Neil Bedeker, Bill Burns

NEW LOCATION:
The meeting was held in the Banquet Room of the Chapel Lawn Funeral Home in Schererville.

One of our members, Pamela Gonzalez, is an employee of Chapel Lawn and had made arrangements for Write-On Hoosiers to continue using this facility if they desire. The members that were present seemed to feel it was perfect for our needs and wished to have it remain there. We wish to thank Chapel Lawn for their hospitality as well as their free, very good, coffee.

NEWS:
The members introduced themselves to our newest guests, telling of their writing preferences and how much writing they have managed to accomplish in the past few weeks. Neil Bedeker, a guest, stated he formerly belonged to Writer's Expressions which was disbanded in December. He also stated he has written two novels, one of them, "Cassidy Posse" was self published. Our other guest, Bill Burns, Jane Burns father, traveled from Wood Dale, Ill. to join us. He stated he formerly taught Creative Writing at St. Xavier's in Chicago and had a number of published articles, including five poems and six short stories as well as co-authoring a text book.

READINGS:

SHARON JESIK, reading from her novel, "Corn Dancer," revealed the importance of "Avanyu," and the necessity of protecting it. Yan, Robert's uncle and an old man from the Zuni tribe, told them a story of the Corn Maiden and how she tried to reveal a message concerning their friend’s death.

JUDY WHITCOMB read her Concrete Shape Poem entitled "Tiny Little Insect." The poem, cleverly shaped like a leaf, manages to be read from several different angles, still rhyming.

GEORGE MIGA continued reading his novel, "Medal of Dishonor." In this part of the story President Lyndon Johnson is still trying to talk his friend, Spenser McCall, into going to them ideas for him, promising to make him an ambassador to Iran if he will help him out.

LISA GROSZEK read from the beginning of her newest novel, "Lonesome Isle 2," The story begins with a mother talking to her son, Mitchell, and later telling the reader of the unbelievable memory her son has, including the memory of his own birth.

SANDRA NANTAIS read two of her poems, "Deep in the Kettle," a poem relating in the "idleness of a slumbering soul." Her second poem entitled, "Two Lips," is accompanied with beautiful photographs of pink tulips and another photograph of a woman feeding a dove from her lips.

JANE BURNS began reading from the second chapter of her novel, "Ursa Specularis." It begins with Ursula, a bear about to go into hibernation with her two cubs, encountering a human baby and carrying it back to her cave, nursing it along with her cubs through the long winter.

LAURIE CHASE continued with her novel, "Fast Forward." In the last reading she told of a housewife, Kelly O'Callaghan, suddenly finding herself in an unknown room while waiting in line for Dunkin Donuts. She is suddenly told she is on a spaceship that hauls cargo from planet to planet and believes it to be some kind of elaborate hoax.

KELLY CHASE read from her story, "The Ring." In this part of the story she convinces her mother that she needs to borrow their truck to go visit friends at the mall - this is accomplished by the magic ring she carries in her pocket.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Sharon Buckman

MINUTES FOR MARCH 2, 2011

MEMBERS PRESENT:
Kathy Flotz, Sharon Buckman, Sharon Jesik, Beverly Stanislawski, Kelly Chase, Laurie Chase, Jessica Bard, John Boufis, Cathy Dziubla, Tom Spencer, Lisa Groszek, Sharon Palmeri, George Miga, Sandra Nantais


GUESTS PRESENT:
Dennis Hodges, Jane Burns

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Sharon Palmeri announced that the members would need to decide on our next meeting place. Several suggestions had been given by various members over the past two weeks. Three of the suggestions are as follows: Banquet room at Chapel Lawn in Schererville, Schoops Restaurant in Crown Point, Twelve Islands Restaurant in Crown Point and the Elks Club in Hobart (still waiting for approval response). It was decided to rule out the Elks Club due to the distance involved for most members and to hold our next meeting at Chapel Lawn and further decision will be made then. Sharon also stated that our "Traveling Story" needed a little pick-me-up as far as the story line was concerned and encouraged the future writers of the story to possibly start "livening it up a little."

NEWS:
Our members introduced themselves to our newest guest, stating their accomplishments and preferences in writing. Dennis Hodges then introduced himself, stating he resided in Merrillville and was presently involved in publicity writing for the Lutheran Church. He also stated he did a publication for the "Tour of Railroads" in Europe.

READINGS:
SHARON BUCKMAN read two pages of her newest short novel, "A Family Murder." The true story related to the murder of her nephew, John Parker, in 2003. It began with the disbelief of family members as to how anyone could want to harm such a nice person and ended with the suspicions of the Merrillville police department involving several members of his family.

KATHY FLOTZ read one page of her newest novel, "The Journey." The story continued with Martha Brenner, a refugee mother, and her two children, reluctantly leaving Germany to head for their new life in America, possibly never to know what happened to her husband.

SHARON JESIK continued with her novel, "Corn Dancer." In this part of her novel Robert was leading the friends of deceased Dotty to a safe location in a "basement like" area, away from the severe storm raging outside. A Zuni scream was heard from above, and beautifully repeated by Sharon, as they all huddled around a table below.

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read her four stanza poem entitled, "Mountains' Majesty." The lovely poem related the beauty of the mountains "straining for a chance to touch the face of God." It has been entered in an Arizona magazine entitled, The Sandcutters.

KELLY CHASE continued with her story, "The Ring." The two pages told of her questionable judgement in having a boyfriend like Travis and slipping off her ring, a ring with magical powers, and placing it in her backpack. It then continued with her annoyance at seeing her friend, Ranee, happily talking to Annabeth, a former friend.

LAURIE CHASE read the first four pages of a previous novel she had written entitled, "Fast Forward." The novel tells of a housewife, Kelly O'Callaghan, starting out with her normal daily routine and suddenly finding herself in disbelief as she stared around at some unbelievable looking people in a completely unknown location.

JESSICA BARD continued with her short story, "The First Snow." In this version of her short story the dying woman, who had asked her friend Whit to stay with her to the end, tells of fighting off her attackers and ends up dying in his arms, only to have disappeared when he returns with the police.

JOHN BOUFIS, after again reminding us of the word, "seep," continued with a "sarty," the previous night, involving two women who had recently seeped into their new bodies only to fall eight stories, dying of broken necks and then seeping into new male bodies. The story then continued with a new person, John, being shot, however, his outcome is not known.

KATHY DZIUBLA remembered a Greek quote from her father, "A Camel Can't See Its Own Hump," and made this the title of her poem. The poem reminded us that we probably can't see our own limitations but they can certainly see ours. She also questioned as to why a negative word would be used to describe something as "awfully nice?"

TOM SPENCER had written a poem entitled, "The Poet's I," in response to a friend and intended as a thank you. The poem tells of the poet's intention to "foster change, bringing a social change to better our world."

LISA GROSZEK, in her two page memoir, tells of happy childhood memories of the Fourth of July at a friend's house, waiting impatiently for the first glimpse of fireworks and the sad farewells to their friends as they are forced to go home.

GEORGE MIGA continued with four pages of his novel, Medal of Dishonor." In this part of his novel he tells of President, Lyndon Johnson, trying to talk his friend, Spencer McCall, into leaving his present position in the oil business and going to the Mideast, returning to give President Johnson the true facts concerning the dissention between the "Jews and the A-rabs."

SANDRA NANTIAS read her beautifully illustrated poem entitled, "The Lady Bug." The three stanza poem describes the beauty of a lady bug and reveals beautiful photography of one sitting on a yellow flower.


JANE BURNS began her story, "Atalanta," an ancient Greek mythology, with the first part entitled, "The Apple Doesn't Fall." It begins with a Queen giving birth and a boastful King telling every one of the wonderful things his "son" will do as he talks to a stable boy. It ended with the queen's attendants showing him into the room to see his new "son."


The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted:
Sharon Buckman

IMPORTANT MESSAGE -- March 2 meeting place change

The next meeting of Write-on Hoosiers will be at Schoops Restaurant in Crown Point.
1124 North Main Street
Crown Point, IN 46307-2789
(219) 663-2288

They have a large room in back with comfortable seating and tables. Please be considerate and order something from their business.

At this meeting we will discuss a place to have our future meetings. Please arrive at 6 pm to give enough time to order something to eat before the meeting begins. Thank you

If you have any questions feel free to e-mail. I will send out a reminder to members before the meeting.

MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 16, 2011

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Beverly Stanislawski, George Miga, Sharon Buckman, Liz Wilson, Jessica Bard, Gail Galvan,
Kathy Flotz, Sharon Palmeri, Sharon Jesik, Pamela Gonzalez, Jackie Huppenthal, John Boufis,
Kelly Chase, Laurie Chase, Judy Whitcomb, Mike Musak


ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Sharon Palmeri announced to the members that Borders Bookstore would be closing. She asked if anyone had any suggestions as to where we might continue with our meetings. Several suggestions were given, such as, various libraries, restaurants, churches, community buildings, etc. It was decided that a few of the members would take it upon themselves to call a few of the places suggested. If any of these places agree to let us use their facilities, it would be discussed, and decided upon, at the next meeting. Katherine mentioned that she would try to arrange for our next meeting to be at Schoop's Restaurant in Crown Point.

NEWS:
BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI won another poetry contest with a Shakespearean sonnet entitled, “The Tempest." Congratulations Bev!

SHARON BUCKMAN stated she had received several phone calls regarding the WOH Christmas photograph and editorial that was placed in both The Times and Post Tribune.

LAURIE CHASE informed the members that her father, who had been recently residing with her, passed away. She also stated that the pain she had been suffering in her right arm was bursitis not damage to her rotator cuff, thank goodness.

PAMELA GONZALEZ stated that the revision she had started on her novel is almost complete.
JUDY WHITCOMB announced that she had received another rejection letter concerning her children's book, "Grandma is a Science Teacher." She is also working on her newest story, "At Rainbow's End - Oops!"

JACKIE HUPPENTHAL stated that she has been busy writing. She also reminded us that there will be stories and poems read from the Prairie Writers Guild concerning their newest book, "From the Edge of the Prairie." The readings will be from 2:00 to 5:00 on Saturday, Feb. l9th.

GAIL GALVAN talked about her book, "Simplicity, From Fat to the New Me & Maybe You." She also told us of the various writing projects she is involved in, especially concerning print on demand. When asked how many she has had published, she stated probably twelve or thirteen.

JOHN BOUFIS stated he has been working very hard trying to get "safe harbor," (meaning trying to keep the school where he teaches from closing.)
KATHY FLOTZ has been busy re-reading, and enjoying, Write On Hoosier's newest book, "Hoosier Horizons."

SHARON PALMERI is presently in her second week of teaching Writers' Workshop. She has also been busy with the Indiana Writers Consortium’s PoPP project. She is compiling and designing a magazine showcasing the childrens contest poetry winners. Sharon is also involved in working as a media technician for IUN’s radio station (no writing involved). She also stated that she will be on a selection panel for Indiana Arts Commission concerning Individual Artist Grants that will be awarded in At the IAC on April 21.

READINGS:

GEORGE MIGA read a few pages of his newest book, "Medal of Dishonor." This part of his book concerned a ceremony at the White House Rose Garden, honoring three men who were about to receive the Medal of Honor for their actions during the Battle of the Bulge. The medals, presented to them by President Harry Truman, neglected to include another soldier, three thousand miles away in a U. S. Army hospital.

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read her new, award winning, Shakespearean sonnet, "The Tempest." The sonnet told of a captain's valiant fight to save his ship from the raging sea.
SHARON BUCKMAN read the last few pages of her book, "Canopy of Leaves." The story concludes with the captor of a young teenage girl, losing his life as he chases the girl into the freezing high water of a local river, setting the victim free.

LIZ WILSON continued with a few pages of her book, "Bottomside," in which Isaak, a clairvoyant runaway counselor, who is trying to save the subterranean city of Bottomside, has a war of words with his "bodyguard," an elf named Cullen. Due to the terrible headache he is presently suffering, his psychic abilities have begun to diminish.

JESSICA BARD read the beginning of her short story entitled, "The First Snow." The story told of a man heading home when he spotted a woman lying in the snow. The woman was badly injured, and bleeding, begging him not to leave her so that he might call an ambulance.

GAIL GALVAN read her "Top Ten Reasons Why A Writer Should Not Give Up," reasons, some very humorous, that all the members certainly agreed with.

SHARON JESIK continued reading several pages from her book, "Corn Dancer." Events that took several friends of deceased, Dotty, on a trip to New Mexico, began to take shape as they encountered a large basket filled with various items that they began to withdraw, helping to explain things Dotty was trying to tell them.

JACKIE HUPPENTHAL read the first part of her delightful short story entitled, "Our Little Girl." The "little girl" turned out to be a "mid-sized mutt with a dark face and floppy ears," who they realized was a pregnant female mutt who later gave birth to five puppies.

JOHN BOUFIS, after explaining the word "seep" to us, read his two page story, "Seeping." The story tells of a seeping party, in which old bodies were exchanged for new ones, and then enjoying the benefits of their "new bodies."

JUDY WHITCOMB read a past story that she revised into a children's short story, "At Rainbow's End - Oops!" The humorous story told of a leprechaun losing his recently found gold and blaming a young boy and his dog. In the end, the dog, Wrigley, accidently helps him find his gold.

MIKE MUSAK came through with another humorous screenplay. After various members each took part in the cast of five characters, the play, "White Elk Bar," came alive, telling another humorous tale. This play concerned a man who ate his meal much too fast, causing him to fall, face first, into his plate; the outcome being that no one wanted to leave his dinner to go call the police.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Sharon Buckman

MINUTES FOR JANUARY 19, 2011

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Sharon Jesik, George Miga, Judy Whitcomb, Liz Wilson, Laura Chase, Kelly Chase, Jessica Bard, Arthur Wilkerson, Cathy Dziubla, Kathy Flotz, Sharon Palmeri, Sharon Buckman

GUESTS PRESENT:
Jane Burns

NEW SUGGESTIONS:

Sharon Palmeri asked the members if they liked the idea of a "traveling story." It would start with one of the members writing the first paragraph and giving it a title. This member would then send it back to Sharon Palmeri who would then forward it on to another member to be continued and then returned to Sharon...as so on. Each member would have one week to add to the story This would continue on without anyone knowing who wrote each paragraph --except Sharon. The "traveling story" was agreed upon and agreed to be read at the Christmas Party, if not earlier.

Sharon Palmeri also asked the members if they would like to repeat producing another "Hoosier Horizon Magazine" for this year. It was unanimously approved. The magazine would again be pre-ordered and distributed at the Christmas Party.

NEWS:

Jane Burns stated she moved to this region (Lowell) only eleven days prior from southern Missouri. She was previously a volunteer for a dog rescuing unit. She enjoys writing Greek mythology and is presently revising a novel she started one year prior.

George Miga has decided he is going to continue working with only one book for the present, "Medal of Dishonor." He has begun making some changes that were suggested by his son and a friend.

Judy Whitcomb has been so busy with extra curricular activities that she has been unable to do any writing. She is one of the IWC PoPP contest judges (along with Sharon Palmeri, Jackie Huppenthal and Katherine Flotz) for the poem competition at the Lake Street School. Winning entries from the each grade level will be selected from the 333 participants, and winners will receive awards as well as magazine publication. Judy also mentioned she has received her second rejection letter for one of the children's stories she has written.

Liz Wilson stated she has almost finished the final revision of her novel Bottomside.

Laura Chase has been very busy with the care of her parents and therefore left with very little time for writing. She was able to do a small amount of work revising her present novel.

Kelly Chase stated she hasn't been able to do any writing due to school finals.

Jessica Bard stated she has been able to do some writing, poems and a short story.

Cathy Dziubla has been busy working on her children's book (two chapters to go.) She also stated she has been busy trying to sell a lot they own.

Kathy Flotz has also been busy helping to judge the poetry contest at the Lake Street School.

Sharon Palmeri stated she has gone back to her old job as a Media Technician IUN (radio station). She has also been busy judging the IWC PoPP poetry contest as well as working on a painting story she had previously started. Sharon will be teaching a Writers Workshop and Publishing in the 21st Century for the Merrillville Adult and Community Education. She is also serving as vice president for the Hobart High School Alumni Association.

Sharon Jesik has been busy working on her novel Corn Dancer and writing poetry.

Sharon Buckman stated she has finished her novel and will now begin revision.


THIS & THAT:

The Prairie Writers Guild will be hosting a reading for their book at the Mellow Brew Cheesecake House in Dyer. The event will be on Feb. 19th from 2-5 P.M. and will also feature music. Several WOH members have had stories and poems published in their book.

READINGS:

Kathy Flotz read the continuation of her new book, The Journey. The man, Tom Wilson, who was saved during the Second World War by a widow and her children, has finally decided to send a check and start looking for a home for her and her children after being chastised by his secretary.

Sharon Buckman continued with her book, Canopy of Leaves. The story is nearing the end of the escape of a young girl from a backwoodsman in Kentucky. In trying to save her dog, who was traveling with her, she allowed the captor to catch up with her.

Cathy Dziubla wrote a short article called, "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow." The story related to the beautiful falling snow, that we all witnessed in the morning, and how lucky it made her feel to be living where she did.

Jessica Bard read her four stanza poem, "Ten Sixths Past The Hour." The comical poem asks for help to find the time from the readers busy day, and to find her heart, which she thinks she left "right next to my mind."
Sharon Jesik continued with her novel, Corn Dancer. As the friends of the deceased, Doty, try to find the answer to her death they become caught in a mountain snowfall and avalanche.

Jane Burns read her two page short story entitled "Yarn." The story relates to an argument between a brother and sister as the sister continues to talk to her mythical playmates, a Raggedy Ann doll named Anne and the narrator named Erin.

Liz Wilson continued with her novel, Bottomside. The story deals with some fictitious "little people" who caused a great deal of damage to the apartment of a girl named Zophie. It starts with her trying to get up and take pictures of the departing "little people," and continues with the main character named Isaac who also tries to deal with the attack.

Laurie Chase continued with reading the revised version of her book, Badradin. The main character, the half human Dr. Togalaz, is still under scrutiny as the Commander of ship tries to find more answers to her identity.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted:

Sharon Buckman

MINUTES FOR JANUARY 5, 2011

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Sharon Jesik, Art Wilkerson, Jessica Bard, John Boufis, George Miga, Sharon Buckman, Beverly Stanislawski, Kathy Flotz, Sandra Nantais, Tom Spencer, Pam Gonzalez, Jackie Huppenthal, Sharon Palmeri, Laurie Chase, Kelly Chase

NEWS:
1. Tom Spencer stated that he has been busy writing since our last meeting. It was also brought to our attention that he is now a board member for the Indiana Writers Consortium.

2. Pam Gonzalez announced that she has made herself a New Year’s resolution. She intends to do more writing, which also includes having material to read at each of our WOH meetings.

3. Jackie Huppenthal has also made a New Year’s resolution to keep submitting entries into various contests she finds; she has already entered five this year. Jackie is now secretary/treasurer for the Indiana Writers Consortium.

4. Jessica Bard, a new member, is Art Wilkerson's granddaughter. She stated her writing preference is poems and short stories.

5. Art Wilkerson stated he is thinking of writing a book called "Total Destruction of Mankind by King Clutter." He also intends to do more writing.

6. Sharon Jesik has been busy making Christmas things for her grandchildren but now intends to devote more time to her writing.

7. Kathy Flotz received a call from a person representing the Beecher, Ill. Middle School in regards to trying to set up a speaking engagement concerning her book "Pebble in My Shoe." Kathy is now the Vice President of the Indiana Writers Consortium.

8. Sharon Palmeri has been enjoying her "home vacation" catching up on various chores she hasn't been able to get to due to her busy schedule. She is now a board member for Indiana Writers’ Consortium. She also thanked the members for the wonderful gift she received from them for Christmas.

9. Beverly Stanislawski hasn't been able to do much writing lately due to a problem with vertigo, probably caused from sinusitis, however, she finally heard from the Texas Poetry Society regarding her entry several months prior - she won an entry in their magazine.

10. Laurie Chase has also had a problem with writing lately; her mother and father have recently moved in with her and have been entered into the Hospice program. She has, however, started to re-write her book and has changed the title to "Badradin."

11. Sharon Buckman stated she had been ill during most of the Christmas vacation but is now starting to get back into writing again.

12. George Miga stated he has been given an incentive by the man who hired him to speak for the Purdue Crisis Management Program. After reading George's book "Medal of Dishonor," he advised him to keep on working on it, calling him several times and praising the book.

13. John Boufis has been re-evaluating his priorities; he has decided to try and reduce the stress in his life and devote more time to writing.

14. Kelly Chase just enjoyed her Christmas vacation, especially all the clothes she received which included a pair of cowboy boots.

15. Sandra Naintais also made a New Year’s resolution - to continue working with her father's old letters, always ending with SWAK (sealed with a kiss.)


2011 OFFICERS:

SharonPalmeri asked for nominations for new officers for this year. There were no takers. As a result the past year's officers were ratified to remain in place by unanimous agreement. Officers are Sharon Palmeri, President; Katherine Flotz, Vice President/treasurer, and Sharon Buckman, Secretary. All accepted serving in their offices.

READINGS:

SHARON JESIK continued with a few pages of her book "Corn Dancer." The friends of the deceased, Dotty, have finally reached Yan's home in the mountains and are seeking advice as to the appearances they have witnessed of their deceased friend.

JESSICA BARD read her four stanza poem "The Day Mercy Died." The poem, which has a line, "killing her killers, I tore off their wings," is left for the reader to do their own interpretation.

SHARON BUCKMAN continued with her book, "Canopy of Leaves." The story, nearing the end of the last chapter, tells of the young teen trying to stay ahead of her captor after her escape.

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read her comical four stanza poem, "Sock it to Me." It was a poem that everyone could relate to when trying to determine "what happened to the other sock?"

KATHY FLOTZ continued with her newest book, "The Journey." The story, which tells of a refugee mother and her two children hoping to come to the United States to visit the man they rescued during the Second World War and who is now pondering the decision as to what he will do with them.

SANDRA NANTAIS wrote a short story entitled, "Christmas Gathering 20l0." The story tells of all the good times her family had at their friend’s house and wondering what will happen now that the friend’s house will be bulldozed after they move.

TOM SPENCER wrote a three stanza poem entitled, "California's Careless Cavaliers," tells of the destruction caused by the Santa Anna Winds.

PAMELA GONZALEZ continued with her book, "Thokka." The book, a fantasy novel, tells of a beast called "Thorsulla," sailing through the air over a seacoast village and continuing with the average life of the villagers below.

JACKIE HUPPENTHAL read her six stanza poem, read from the bottom up, entitled "The Top." The poem, accompanied with pictures, told of the journey to the top of the very tall fire tower at the Tippecanoe River State Park in Indiana.

LAURIE CHASE continued with her newly re-written and re-titled book, "Badradin." The story involves the life of a female physician from a future planet who is half human and trying to adjust to the ship's life and environment she has been assigned to.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 P.M.

Respectfully submitted:
Sharon Buckman

2010 Write-on Hoosiers "Spotlight on Writing" Banquet

[A special thanks goes out to photographers John Palmeri and Edie Hamernik for taking some excellent photos and capturing the night.]


NOTE: You can double click on photos to make them larger

Writers Organizations Unite for Networking Banquet

The light snowflakes gently falling added to the ambiance as Write-on Hoosiers hosted their 22^nd annual banquet. This year’s theme was “Spotlight on Writing.” The banquet, attended by members of five writers’ organizations, was held recently at Lakes of the Four Seasons Country Club.

The room was full of great conversation, good food, many gifts, awards, and door prizes as 38 people gathered for the event. Writers had the opportunity to network and meet writers from other organizations. Writers Expressions, Magic Hour Writers, Northwest Indiana Poetry Society and Indiana Writers’ Consortium had members present. Each organization leader was given an opportunity to talk about their past accomplishments and future plans.

The evening ended with the “unveiling” of Write-on Hoosiers seventh issue of its literary magazine “Hoosier Horizon.”

A special message to WOH club members:

Thank you everyone for making the night a success, and always for the wonderfully generous gift you gave me.

Sharon

2010 Write-on Hoosiers 22nd anniversary "Spotlight on Writing"

Members of Several Writers Organizations in Northwest Indiana. Each group leader talked about past, present and future happenings their respective group.

Each group was kind enough to donate money or prizes to help with the cost of the event.

Writers Expression

Magic Hour Writers

Indiana Writers' Consortium -- PoPP Committee

Northwest Indiana Poetry Society