Abilene Writers Guild Meeting Minutes

October 27, 2000, 7:30 p.m., Center for Contemporary Arts

President Stewart Caffey called the meeting to order and introduced guest Bob Chatfield. The minutes are now posted on the AWG web site, so reading them is waived. Kermit Klaerner was introduced as our newest member, and Arlene Aoki sent her subscription in, bringing our total membership to 89.

Treasurer Gail McMillan reported the operating account balance is $2,307.28. Gail also reported to the membership that the Board voted to transfer the balance needed from the general operating fund to complete the lifetime membership for founding member Juanita Zachry. She explained that individual donations had already paid a portion of the $500 membership, and the funds to complete this honorarium were transferred from the operating fund this month.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

(BRAGS AND SAGS) Laura Thaxton announced that all but three family members renewed subscriptions to her family newsletter this year, but because of new subscriptions, she was ahead by one. Elaine Coleman announced she had sent her manuscript for Texas Haunted Forts off to The Republic of Texas Press this week and met their deadline.

Nancy Robinson gave a fire and brimstone sermon to the Guild members present about more members needing to submit entries to our monthly writing contests. After much discussion, excuses and penitent spirits, she inspired us to submit for the next contest. She announced this month's contest winners: First place, Betty Thomason for "Dead Ringer." Second place was awarded to Ruth Sellers for "Mysteries of the $1.00 Bill." Third place was awarded to Ginny Greene for "The Mystery at the Railroad Stop." Honorable Mention was also given to Pat Johnson for her "Three Ghosts in the Attic." The next members' contest will be due November 8, 2000, with the topic being "Nature." An additional member's contest will have a due date of January 15, 2001, and it's topic will be "Why I did not write over the holidays."

OLD BUSINESS:

The annual Thanksgiving Dinner will be November 16, 2000, at 6 p.m. Bring $2 per person for turkey and dressing. Members are asked to bring side dishes and desserts. Contact Gail McMillan to confirm your reservation.

After discussion of the sale of the AWG Building as well as the best place for AWG to meet, Barbara Darnall moved to turn the utilities off until such time as the building would be used again. Marie Boswell seconded the motion. Our membership may have free meeting use of the Center for Contemporary Arts building through the membership year, although any suggestions for alternate places to meet are solicited and will be considered. It was discussed and decided we would name an amount that would be the lowest acceptable price in the sale of the building, and upon motion by Barbara Rollins and second by Ruth Sellers that the minimum amount would be $15,000, the motion passed.

PROGRAM:

Nancy introduced the program, a mystery "Whodonit," to find out who is murdering our writing. She was Detective Columbo, with a big cigar in her mouth, and, along with Mrs. Marple (Ruth Sellers) and Nancy Drew (Elaine Coleman) she searched the audience for clues to solve the mystery "Why do manuscripts die an early death?" See the next Big Country Writers newsletter (and our AWG web site) for the very helpful clues and to discover WHO is the guilty one.

Witches Brew, apples and caramel dip, chips and bile, severed finger cookies and other substantial fare were provided by the refreshment crew of Ruth and Doug Sellers, Eva Conner and granddaughter Sara Rodriguez, and Carolyn Dycus.

Meeting adjourned.



Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn Dycus, 10-30-00


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