The meeting was called to order at 6:43 PM.
Visitors: We welcome new member Laura Bentz.
Birthdays: We honored Lorna Penland on her birthday. Other April Birthdays are:
Anna Russell (April 10); Patsy Stagner (April 5); Lisa Holcomb (April 21); Valory Elliott (April 12). If your name is missing please send me an email (maineenthusiast@gmail.com) with the month and day. You do not need to add the year. Especially if you are a new member, I would love to have this information because we really do honor our members on their special day.

Author Announcements: April Coker informed us that she will be present at a book signing in Winnsboro on May 7.

Committee reports: April announced that the annual conference has been confirmed for July 9, 2022 after a two year hiatus due to Covid. TJC West will be the venue once again. At this time two speakers are confirmed to attend. It was also announced that Guild business cards are available for distribution.

Lydia Holley reminded us that newsletter articles are due at the end of the month. For the most recent issue, she inserted a “challenge” to find the misspelled word in one of the articles. April Coker emerged as the winner of that challenge. Congratulations April, for being an astute speller.

The general meeting adjourned and the speaker for the evening, Cathy Krafve, was introduced. In her lively talk, Cathy discussed encouraging family members and others to share their sacred stories and the importance of how to keep them coming. Maintaining respect for others’ stories is essential. Cathy emphasized that to make the interviewee feel welcome, the interviewer should be open, responsive, and compassionate to the person being interviewed.