CLUB NOTES: Shawano Area Writers

The July 21 meeting was held in the Elsie Engel room at the Shawano Public Library. Members attending were Svitlana Podgorna, Lee Pulaski, Manuel Moraleda, Twilla Beyer, John Mutter Jr., Tom Thorstenson, Nick Wudtke, Trudy Bosman, Wendy Goerl, and Barb King.

President Tom Thorstenson called the meeting to order. The minutes and treasurer’s report were approved.

We lost a good friend this month. Dennis Vickers was a kind person. His intelligence and sharp wit will be greatly missed by all his friends.

In good news, Lee Pulaski announced that “Night of the Hodag” was published. Lee was also approached by Other World Bookstore in Sturgeon Bay about carrying some of his books, and there may be a book signing in the future.

Manny Moraleda passed around the Wisconsin Poet’s Contest Calendar 2023, which contained his poem “Lake Winnebago Water Monster.”

In new business, it was discussed how to get new members. There are writers who would like to attend but will lose money if they leave their job during the day. It was decided that we could hold two meetings, one at the regular time and one at night. The day meeting would discuss business and have readings and the night meeting could have instruction and readings. The problem with a night meeting is that the library and other places with free meeting rooms are closed. Nick Wudtke suggested we meet at Stubborn Brothers and call it Booze and Books. More discussion will follow.

Trudy Bosman started the readings with two poems. The first poem was entitled, “I Don’t Count,” which showed that everybody counts. The second poem was entitled “It’s Okay.” This poem was inspired by a woman who sang on America’s Got Talent. She was dying of cancer but felt that wasn’t an excuse not to be happy. You can choose to be happy anytime anywhere. She died before she could move on in the contest.

Wendy Goerl read a passage from her book “Heartstone.” Kinta is at a pow wow and shows an elder, Old Talk, the crystal.

Barb King read the latest chapter from “The Children in the Garden.” Jillian receives a great offer on her condo but would have to close in 30 days. She decides to sell and move into the main floor of her house, even though it is far from being finished.

Lee Pulaski has started a new book in his mystery series situated in Gresham. It is titled “The Tragic Tale of Tabby and Henny.” Tabby (Tabitha) runs a chicken operation and Henny (Henrietta) rescues cats.

Manny Moraleda had a tire go flat in Appleton. He was in a parking lot unsuccessfully trying to get the spare from under the car when a stranger drove up and offered to help Manny. The stranger had no trouble removing the spare. Manny thanked him and the stranger gave him his business card. When Manny got home, he wrote a poem called “The Kind-Hearted Man” and sent it to the stranger. The man was very surprised and happy to receive the poem.

Tom Thorstenson has started writing a book titled “The Mad Scientist and His Spiders.” (It’s a romance.) A mad scientist has purchased a property near Dubuque, Iowa, that used to be Fort Dodge for his phony company called Leading Edge Science and Logistics. He is trying to make spiders the size of bobcats, about eight feet long.

Nick Wudtke read a passage from his book “Parabolic, Magnetic Key.” Dave and Mick are in a tavern in Garobansurov and Mick is telling the story of how they got their seemingly magical swords.

Shawano Area Writers meets the third Thursday of every month in the Elsie Engel Room in the Shawano Public Library from 10 a.m. to noon.

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