Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Aug. 19 through Aug. 24

A quick few pieces of news to share and then onto the stories.


1) The WriteOn Joliet website has a new look. check us out! www.writeonjoliet.com.

2) Come meet some of us in person. We have a table at the Will County Celtic Fest tomorrow and volunteers will be running the booth from noon to 9 p.m. We have books for sale, information about us and some of our upcoming events.

3) Slooooooowly making my way through proofreading Cornell dyer and the Necklace of Forgetfulness. It's been a busy month socially, and my main focus right now is Before the Blood. Although I do hope to finish Cornell this weekend since I'll be on the road (not driving).

4) And speaking of Before the Blood, the goal is to plug up all the composition gaps in the last book during my second at-home writing retreat in early September. In the meantime, I've been rereading and editing...and liking what I'm reading and editing! Finally, right?

5) The Art of the BryonySeries exhibit goes up early September and will remain in place through Halloween. Be sure to check out the wide variety of art: four artist, many different types of work and mediums. Also, a reception will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 27. Stop in to say "hi," meet some local talent, and inquire about commissions, since all four artists are taking them. And yes, they do book illustrations and cover design.

Onward to the "real" writing. Where to find it?

Non-bylined features:

Monday through Saturday I assembled my non-bylined works - brief posts and calendar listings - into one convenient file and posting them on Facebook in the evening, so readers can easily choose the ones they want to read.

 One can also find those event listings, the Gotta Do It calendar, as well as the pets, health, faith, and arts and entertainment calendars, under the sections tab on the left hand side of http://www.theherald-news.com/. Click on "features" and the topics drop down.  Gotta Do It runs under "people."

Community news? Again, under the sections tab, under features, and by topic. Updates are posted on these days in print and web (and some only on web on other days as I have the time): Monday (pets), Tuesday (health), Thursday (faith), Friday (arts and entertainment), and Sunday (people).

Social media:

Daily updates: I do post the briefs and calendars on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I post curated content relating to the BryonySeries at @BryonySeries. And assorted related content at www.facebook.com/BryonySeries. And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to jon WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/writeonminooka/?ref=bookmarks. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

Upcoming events: 

These are listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at www.bryonyseries.com.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Taking a BikeAround memory lane Romeoville assisted-living facility offers virtual program for its clients

It’s supposed to be especially beneficial to patients with dementia because BikeAround lets them travel back to places that have significant meaning to them or speak to their hearts.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/17/4391864bddd14b139273c67b3f94b0dd/index.xml

Joliet man ‘wanted to be helpful’

Louis Derlinga did his part to make his community a better place

"My mom didn't want to put him in a home," Terri Derlinga said. "She wanted him in the community. That's why everybody knew him."

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/14/8cb8d06221b3458ca9616d36133e2c37/index.xml?page=1

A doggone great event

Joliet ReStore site of 3rd annual Homes for the Hounds 

"Tracy will be here with her K9 dog Cody and she'll do a demonstration with her dog that day," Heidi Serena, store manager, said. "And Officer Dean Klier from the Forest Preserve District of Will County and his K9 dog Jullo will be here, too.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/20/d07bc9635e3a48fe82f795553bf5d06e/index.xml

'It's just my way of giving back'

Channahon man has donated over 20 gallons of blood since 1986 

"One time I had to delay it because of poison ivy," Fremarek said. "And another time I had to delay it a couple of days because my father-in-law died. Other than that, it's been pretty regular."

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/14/3ca5248beab4407fbaa1f93e8be857ef/index.xml


Maciano’s in Shorewood keeps dining simple and good 

We decided to try a 12-inch spinach classic pizza, which was described as a “zesty trio of spinach, garlic, and fresh tomato” with a double dough crust. The pizza was hot and was indeed zesty, with a perfect seasoning of garlic.

The spinach on the pizza was plentiful. Our server brought the pizza to us hot out of the oven, with golden brown cheese and crust. The pizza was filling and we had enough to take home.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/20/81b6d47427314ea6a353c4d6509c7d57/index.xml


St. Joseph Academy in Joliet starts the school year in a new home 

"There are children who are square pegs trying to fit into round holes, children who learn differently," Jan Novotny, principal and teacher, said. "We have the opportunity to explore different ways of educating children that, if we had a school of 500 kids, we would not have that luxury...we can write our own story."

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/21/4824792bb414469b8164cae5fe0ea2de/index.xml


Celebrate a day of Irish music and culture on Saturday at Will County Celtic Fest 

Although this story doesn't have my byline, I creatively assembled it from several emails containing photos, event information, and performer links. In print, it ran as a photo page. Online, it's a photo list. check it out! :)

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/24/c124790c88bb47feaaf362dce28448b6/index.xml



Artworks: 'Energy, attitude and some jams'
Joliet's Righteous Hillbillies to play Will County Celtic Fest on Saturday

Founder Brent James said, Our live show is full of energy, attitude and some jams. We like to stretch out the songs a bit and see where things go and offer existing fans the opportunity to see and hear something new each time."

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/23/artworks-energy-attitude-and-some-jams/aj766b8/


LocalLit author spotlight: J.Terence of Plainfield

J. Terence said, "I try to examine such experiences from a number of vantage points and to incorporate metaphorical, philosophical, historical, artistic and even chronological elements to flesh-out the meaning (s) I’m driving at in order to lead the reader along both a diverging and converging path that’s hopefully rich and at least a little thought-provoking."

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/05/08/locallit-author-spotlight-j-terence-of-plainfield/ajo40f5/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff.