Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Aug. 26 through Aug. 31

Little editorializing this morning. Today/this weekend/next week is busier than most.

Deadlines today and later a funeral in Indiana as a good friend unexpectedly died this week. to and fro, I plan to finish copy editing Cornell Dyer and the Necklace of Forgetfulness, a real sacrifice as I can't read in the car without getting extremely queasy.

Tomorrow: Hanging about the Book and Bean Cafe in Joliet for a lot of the day to take photos of the four artists as they install their art and to attend the WriteOn Joliet Gothic Book Club (come join us!) at 12:30 p.m.

Then for the rest of Saturday and the next two days (except for church) I'm working.

I'm the on call editor for Labor Day. And I have many pages to fill for next week before I can take a few days off.

And what will I do on those few days? Complete the composition of Before the Blood (or very nearly) and get the first four manuscripts to my editor to begin reading while I finish the fifth. Please pray/send out good thoughts/sacrifice a goat that the week goes smoothly (no illness, no tragedy, etc.) that get in the way of my completing it.

On that Friday, I do have a work engagement, some errands, so it will be less productive.

On that Saturday, I do have dentist appointment and the celebration of Timothy's birthday, so again.

On the very last day before I return to work, Rebekah and I are taking a "BryonySeries" day and catch up on all those bits and pieces of tasks that we keep putting off for lack of time.

So you see, I only have three really good days to keep at it.

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.

No easier way to help local charities

100+ Women Who Care serving Will County puts the 'fun' in fundraising

"We have no funds, no bank account," Maribeth Carlson of Homer Glen, founder of the local chapter, said. "Everything goes to the charity.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/25/6dc501210cfd4e6497df885a9a716eaf/index.xml?page=1

An Extraordinary Life: Crest Hill branch library honors Friends founder

Jerry Myrick's love of history, genealogy and books in general led him to establish the current Friends of the White Oak Library.

And then he continued serving the Friends in any way he could, his wife, Pauline Myrick, said.

"It was his way of contributing to the community," Pauline said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/26/an-extraordinary-life-crest-hill-branch-library-honors-friends-founder/a957bqo/

Kathy Malone needs a kidney transplant

A benefit on Sept. 8 will help this #Manhattan woman with expenses

In July 2017, Malone had just gone back to work in a medical office following a medical leave. When Malone noticed her legs and face were swollen, she went to the nurse and told her something wasn’t right.

“The next thing I knew, I was waking up in the ER,” Malone said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/27/kathy-malone-needs-a-kidney-transplant/aaugf31/

Lives change when the kidneys fail
3 families share their ups and downs

Dave Jepson of Channahon said the decision to donate a kidney to his wife’s aunt last year was “a no-brainer.”

“God put us here to help others,” Jepson said. “I had the opportunity so I took it.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/27/67219ccaf13e4eed960a0cde3a0bd9be/index.xml


Mystery Diner: Burger Theory in Joliet offers up to 4,320 possibilities

Because some of my friends do like burgers, with one of them judging a restaurant on the strength of its burger, four of us decided to check out Burger Theory, which is located inside the Joliet's new Holiday Inn.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/28/3c629e5e964e4004805072f5a0ef575c/index.xml


Baran-Unland: When church scandal tests faith 

The faith of some, I’m certain, is bound to be shaken. For others, their belief that organized religion is corrupt or of little value may even be strengthened.

At the very least, such stories can make us question, perhaps re-examine, our beliefs.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/28/baran-unland-when-church-scandal-tests-faith/aobtpb0/

Gone fishing

Joliet area residents share their favorite photos

Who doesn't like a great fish "tale?" And in this case, we've got the photos to prove them.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/28/ec98dcbfffb7469784589501edb6639f/index.xml

Artworks: 4 artists in group show at Joliet cafe

 All four of these artists are displaying their work at the Book and Bean Cafe in Joliet during September and October. A artist reception for them is Sept. 27.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/28/bc593eb99bc3459285b283962945731f/index.xml?page=3

LocalLit author spotlight: Robert Hafey of Joliet

Hafey said, "This short story was a challenge for me because it is historical fiction. I wrote it specifically to challenge myself and had fun doing it. It is loosely based on the story of a distant relative who left Ireland for Canada in 1817."

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/06/12/d93de73ae7a94c2f96cefe1a4edff358/index.xml?page=1

LocalLit author spotlight: Larry Zoeller of Downers Grove

Zoeller said, "I like history and a lot of it is centered, as this story is, around the area where I grew up, Martins Ferry, Ohio on the Ohio River just across from Wheeling, West Virginia and 60 miles from Pittsburgh."

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/29/locallit-author-spotlight-larry-zoeller-of-downers-grove/axx90p6/

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