Ginny Greene called the meeting to order.
GUESTS:
The following were welcomed: Becky Haigler was visiting from Shreveport; Linda Jones, a new member (not to be confused with Barbara Rollins friend, Linda Jones who went to Spain and Portugal with her); and Hanaba Welch, also a new member.
Nancy Masters reported on our project, "Paperbacks for Patriots." To date, almost 600 books have been sent. There is one flight every two weeks and the books are snatched up soon after arrival! We were encouraged to gather our extra paperbacks (or hardbacks) and either bring them to the monthly meeting, call Nancy for pickup, or call one of the Board Members who will assist. Two bags of books were loaded into Nancy's car this evening.
The order of our meeting was changed this evening due to the nature of our program this evening, entitled "Funge with Runge." Nancy introduced Charlie the Con Artist and Sneaky Snake Pete (aka Jim Runge.) Jim entered dressed in a costume consisting of striped leggings, a "box" in which he was being ‘carried' by Charlie the Con Artist and Sneaky Snake was trying to bite him as well as some of the members. (Obviously he could get quite warm in this getup!)
Jim's off-beat sense of humor was evident during the entire program. Born and raised in El Dorado, Texas, he was quick to tell us that he moved away for many years. When he came home, there were only about 2,000 people in El Dorado, Texas, so he thought he should help get the town on the map----now it has been featured in England as well as New York and San Francisco. Jim has some 200 costumes, including one in which he presents a medicine show entitled "The Amazing Rungini." He also does a program called "All the Kings Clones." In our program tonight, he was essentially teaching us his unique form of marketing. We all need to learn to promote what we do in unique and creative ways. Jim has a motto: "Not one shred of evidence supports the fact that life should be taken seriously!"
Jim seemingly finds humor in virtually everything. He brought copies of his book, which he called a "coffee table reader." He has begun the El Dorado Olympic Bid Organization Committee and he created a "hysterical district" in downtown El Dorado on a piece of land that was overgrown with weeds. He has plans for another book and may call it "A Hearse of a Different Color," or "It's Not an Optical Illusion, It Just Looks Like One." He also proudly shared information about the "only albino bat colony in North America," which just happens to be in El Dorado. Jim's motto was clearly evidenced by his program this evening.
Brags and Sags.
- Hanaba Welch reports that she writes humor columns for the Wichita Falls paper and a few other papers have picked up her column, "The 501."
- Betty Thomason is Secretary for the Winters Woman's Club. As such, she reports the club's news to the paper. Betty wrote an article and took a photo of Nancy Masters during her recent program. Both were printed on the front page of the paper!
- Ginny Greene, Becky Haigler, Barbara Rollins and Karen Greene proudly reported that "Silver Boomers" is finished and showed us the final project. The second book is half complete with a third in process. The books were available for $12 tonight or two for $22.
- Bill Neal reports that he is now on the Board of the West Texas Historical Association. He will write a blurb for Barbara Rollins to add to this month's newsletter. Also, he humbly (but proudly) reports his daughter is presenting a scholarly paper.
- JoAnne Horn, Vonda Jackson & Nancy Masters were featured speakers at the Border Queen Book Fest in Comanche, Oklahoma; and Nancy was featured on the Oklahoma Travel Network!
- Nancy Masters' books, "Jeans," "Airplanes," and "Salt," published by Cherry Lake Publishing, will be available at their booth at the upcoming Texas Library Association meeting in Dallas on April 17, where Nancy will be happily signing books. She reports sales of the latest two books (Salt and Airplanes) are off to a rocket start. These books are for 5th to 7th graders.
Minutes are available at our website and were accepted as posted. Contact Sharon Ellison, Secretary, and Barbara Rollins, Webmaster, if errors or omissions are noted.
Financial report: Gail McMillan reports $4,917.56 in the bank; 86 members.
Old Business: The nominating committee, chaired by Sue Davis, is working to replace five people. They will recommend a slate at the April 26 meeting.
April 26 Workshop News! Nancy encouraged everyone to invite someone to our free workshop, here at the CCA from 10 am to 12:30 pm, "Spring into Writing," where we will hear Pat Parker, an entertaining former physics teacher, along with Linda Kirkpatrick, a National Cowboy Award-winning poet. Joining them will be local singer/songwriter, Jean Prescott.
Cultural Awards Nominee: Sue Davis is AWG's nominee for this award. The ceremony will be June 27.
Question of email and physical addresses in website: Ginny asked Barbara Rollins to once again address this issue. There are strong concerns by some members concerning whether email addresses and home addresses should be listed on our website. Questions involved whether or not we could provide a "secure" area for members only, or whether
we should actually hire a programming "geek" to change, fix or otherwise take care of this problem as privacy issues continue to be raised. Barbara asked that if a member wants his or her email and home address removed from the website, to please let her know. The Board will continue to discuss this issue.
Refreshments:
Sue Davis suggested that if all members would sign up one time, they likely would only have to provide refreshments once a year. She would appreciate more people signing up.
Members-Only Contest
Member-Only Contest winners for our March contest, "In Like A Lion," were announced by Barbara Darnall. There were 16 entries this month from 13 different members. Winners were as follows:
Our thanks to Carolyn Dycus, Vonda Jackson, and Nancy Masters for providing the delicious refreshments.
Respectfully revised & submitted,
Sharon Ellison, Secretary