Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, April 18 through April 24

Good morning!

I have nine stories online to share with you today, including part two of several large projects for the Shaw Local News Network's regional health team.

More stories will go live over the weekend. So please check back at shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

To see the stories that ran in print this week and aren't online yet, click on the e-edition option at the top of The Herald-News website.

Before the stories, I also have a list of additional updates, resources, and information. Please check them out, too.

And if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.

And have a great Friday!

Calendar

The BryonySeries calendar offers links to games, crafts, music, activities, science experiments, and  recipes that pick up themes to one or more of our books.

To participate, visit bryonyseries.com/ourcalendar.

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries) - so far:

We have no events schedule at this time since we are working on a couple of larger events (more on this later), and we have some private events scheduled.

However, please check out our books by popping into The Book Market in Crest Hill (if you live in the area) or bookshop.org or Amazon if you don't. 

Also, many titles are available at the Joliet Public Library and the Downers Grove Public Library.

Please note: Bookshop and the libraries do not carry all of our books.

And if  you missed it, please check out the "Shades of Noir" photos.

What is the BryonySeries?

Please read "Books of the BryonySeries: A Quick Overview"

For more information on the developing "parent brand" that is removing some of the heavy marketing lifting from me, visit bryonyseries.com/blocks.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. At some point, we will assemble and release some more.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur.") is finally begun, although albeit very slowly. I'd like to get enough done over the next month or so to finally give Sue Midlock (our artist for The Adventures of Cornell Dyer) some ideas for the book's cover and chapter heading illustrations.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and four chapters are written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright has finished the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects. But the goal is to release "Brainy Ann" in 2026.

Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for "Lycanthropic Summer."

Other books: I am not writing a novel this year. But I have an idea for a BryonySeries Christmas anthology that I'd like to release in 2026. We also have a prologue/first chapter sampler of all the BryonySeries novels and an novel excerpt (so far) that's only available at certain events.

Rebekah is also slowly (very, very slowly) updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.

For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.

Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.

Check out the weekly recipe here.

WRITERS

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.

I also suggest this book: Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers. It's exactly as it says. Each page some with one suggestion for revision. The rest of the page is blank, so you can add your own notes. All proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet.

If you need editing or help with self-publishing, check out dmbaranunland.com.

ARTISTS

If you need an artist for a project, I offer these recommendations.

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for The Munsonville Times by emailing us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. The newsletter still isn't official yet, so we don't have an actual link on the website - but we are working on it! 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Daily updates: I haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.

Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.

And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

QUESTIONS

Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.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.

FEATURES

How social isolation is quietly impacting millennial health

Experts link rising anxiety, depression and substance abuse to social media and pandemic isolation

https://www.shawlocal.com/news/2026/04/18/how-social-isolation-is-quietly-impacting-millennial-health/

Pete’s Market expanding into New Lenox

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/04/18/petes-market-expanding-into-new-lenox/

Crest Hill plant store hosting fundraiser for Boys & Girls Club of Joliet

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/04/20/crest-hill-plant-store-hosting-fundraiser-for-boys-girls-club-of-joliet/

Taco restaurant buys former Joliet Pop’s building

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/04/22/taco-restaurant-buys-former-joliet-pops-building/

Bridal Suites in downtown Joliet holding ribbon cutting Thursday

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/04/22/bridal-suites-in-downtown-joliet-holding-ribbon-cutting-thursday/

Longtime downtown Lockport restaurant closes

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/04/23/longtime-downtown-lockport-restaurant-closes/

Joliet Chamber to hold ribbon cutting for Boot Barn

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/04/23/joliet-chamber-to-hold-ribbon-cutting-for-boot-barn/

Silver Cross Foundation receives $560,000 to support health care for women and children

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/04/17/silver-cross-foundation-receives-560000-to-support-health-care-for-women-and-children/

Will County Pets of the Week: April 20, 2026

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/04/20/will-county-pets-of-the-week-april-20-2026/

 

 

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

PHOTOS: WriteOn Joliet's "Shades of Noir"

WriteOn Joliet presented “Shades of Noir,” an original radio theater production, on April 18 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre, 201 W. Jefferson St. Joliet.

"Shades of Noir" authors and performers were Denise M. Baran-Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Ed Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Cean Magosky, Jenny Russ, and Duanne Walton.

Director was Jake Thomas.

Production assistant was Rebekah Baran.

The story revolved an aging detective (Ed Calkins, aka Detective Ed) preparing to turn his business over to his replacement (Denise M. Baran-Unland, aka "Denny."). 

During the transition, the two detectives debate and argue over how cases should be approached, and they reviewed past, present, and future cases in the form of various original poems and stories written by the author/performers.

Enjoy photos (mostly) by Timothy Baran of all the vignettes except mine for which no photo apparently exists, with more photos of Detective Ed and Denny to come on Saturday.

“CRIME SCENE”

Author: Cean Magosky

Readers: Edward Calkins (Ed) and Denise M. Baran-Unland (Denny)

 

“DARK ALLEYS”

Author: Mauverneen Blevins

Reader: Jenny Russ

 
“DENY”

Author: Holly Coop

Readers: Edward Calkins (Ed), Denise M. Baran-Unland (Denny), and Mauverneen Blevins (wife)

 

“THE GARBAGE MAN”

Author:  Tom Hernandez

Readers: Duanne Walton (narrator), Ed Calkins (Ed), Cean Magosky (Nelson Edwards), Holly Coop (Helen Edwards)

“SLEIGHT OF HAND”

Author: Cean Magosky

Readers: Duanne Walton (narrator), Char (Steve Cordin), Marie (Jenny Russ), Mr. Montini (Mauverneen Blevins), Mrs. Montini (Denise M. Baran-Unland)

 

“MISSING PERSON”

Author: Denise M. Baran-Unland

Readers: Duanne Walton (narrator), Cean Magosky (Kellen Wechsler), Holly Coop (Margaret Vollbauer)

(We have no photo of "Missing Person," so I'm substituting this photo Timothy took, which captures the mood of the piece, I think).

 

“UNCOMFORTABLE SHOES FIT FOR TWO”

Author: Holly Coop

Readers: Jenny Russ and Steve Cordin

 

INTERMISSION

 

“MISSING MO”

Author: Duanne Walton

Reader: Duanne Walton

(Photo by Jenny Russ)

 

“THE FIRE PIT”

Author: Mauverneen Blevins

Readers: Cean Magosky (narrator), Jenny Russ (Ivy), Steve Cordin (Sheriff Bill), Duanne Walton (Jefferson)

 

“THE WRITE ON ZONE”

Author: Edward Calkins

Readers: Duanne Walton (narrator), Mauverneen Blevins (waitress), Denise M. Baran-Unland (newsboy), Cean Magosky (Kellen Wechsler), Kellen) Holly Coop (Trudy)

 

“A DAME TO STING FOR”

Author: Steve Cordin

Readers: Duanne Walton (Beeman), Queenie Wasp (Jenny Russ), Bumble (Edward Calkins), Holly Coop (Vanessa/Princess Mean Streak), Steve Cordin (Ultrabomber)

 

“BUMPED WITH A THUMP”

Author: Holly Coop

Readers: Cean Magosky (narrator) and Mauverneen Blevins (wife)

 

“ARTIFICIAL HUMANITY”

Author: Jenny Russ

Reader: Cean Magosky (Sam), Denise M. Baran-Unland (LEAH), Holly Coop (Carmen)

 

SPECIAL APPRECIATION:

Joliet Drama Guild for producing “Shades of Noir and managing concessions and ticket sales

Henry Scherrer, for sharing original songs (performed by The Black and Blue Hearts)

Mauverneen Blevins for designing marketing materials

Cean Magosky for writing the interstitial script

Coops Bowsmith and Holly Coop Books for donating cast T-shirts

Edward and Nancy Calkins for donating cast supplies

Rebekah Baran for providing one-stop checkout and overall behind-the-scenes support

The Raven's House for sponsoring twenty-five “Missing Person” booklets

B.L.O.C.K.S. for sponsoring twenty WriteOn Joliet 2026 anthologies and dinner for cast and crew

Paula Sanzenbacher of Garden Keepers, Chicago, for a generous donation to cast and crew’s dinner

Roc City Bar & Grill for generously discounting dinner for cast and crew

The City of Joliet and the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre staff and leadership for inviting us back for a fourth year in a row.

Joliet Public Library staff and leadership for its unwavering support of local authors and WriteOn Joliet in particular.

Janet Staley of The BookMarket in Crest Hill for providing an outlet for local authors and space for WriteOn Joliet to rehearse after-hours.

We thank our families for tolerating our oddities, the Zoom rehearsals, the late nights and early mornings in front of screens and typewriters and notebooks and for understanding that they can’t simply throw out a grocery list because we may or may not have been developing a storyline in the checkout line at Target.

Finally we, the writers, thank you for attending tonight and supporting local art. We are deeply grateful.

 

BIOGRAPHIES

Denise M. Baran-Unland is WriteOn Joliet’s co-founder and co-leader and author of the phantasmic BryonySeries, which includes the “drop of blood” vampire trilogy for young and new adults, a Gothic prequel for adults, the Limbo trilogy, a standalone werewolf novel, the Adventures of Cornell Dyer mystery series for grade and middle school students, the Girls of the BryonySeries series for tween girls, and the Bertrand the Mouse series for young children.

She has six adult children, three adult stepchildren, twenty total grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, six godchildren, two cats, and one corgi.

Denise blogs daily at bryonyseries.blogspot.com and is currently the features editor at The Herald-News.

To read her feature stories, visit theherald-news.com. For more information about BryonySeries, visit bryonyseries.com.

 

Mauverneen Blevins (or Maureen as she is generally called) has been interested in both writing and photography since she was quite young, never missing an opportunity to spend time in the Library or the Bookmobile when it came to school.

An award-winning photographer and published writer, she decided to combine both those passions into a children's book. Published in November of 2022, I KNOW That Bird! uses simple verse to identify each bird and is illustrated with her own photographs.

Blevins has been published in a diverse assortment of publications such as the Chicago Tribune, Woodshop News, Chicago Parent, A Cup of Comfort books, and several anthologies. She currently edits, writes and photographs for The Dashboard, a classic car magazine, and several other newsletters,  publishes a blog, and travels whenever she can.

 A Joliet native, she is the mother of three grown daughters and currently lives in New Lenox with her two dogs.

For more information, visit mauveonthemove.com and mauverneen.com.

 

Edward Calkins is a real, 60-something, proud of his Irish-heritage computer programmer and amateur writer who has also spent his entire life working in newspaper circulation. Years ago, Calkins invented a "ruthless dictator" alter ego, also known as "The Steward of Tara."

With Calkins' permission, BryonySeries author Denise M. Baran-Unland furthered altered him to create a minor character in "Bryony," making Calkins the first Irish vampire of any significance. Of course, Calkins claims "Bryony" is really all about him, so he’s held his own book signings, which he is calls, "The Ed Calkins Tour." There must be some truth in his sentiments, because Calkins' plot importance does grow with each novel in the original BryonySeries trilogy.

Calkins is the author of  three books chronicling his fiction backstory: “The Fifth,” “Ruthless” and “Recovering Ruthless” and is also the author of “Denise M. Baran-Unland's Irish Genealogy.” He also shares his writings on the BryonySeries blog. Email him at   bryonyseries@gmail.com.

 

Holly Coop has made touching hearts with words her life purpose.

Coop writes and publishes inspirational poetry, motivational quotes, and spiritual insights. As the author of five poetry collections, Coop hopes her words will stir hearts and inspire others in their purpose. Coop also enjoys sketching, creating photo notecards and art, featuring her poetry. (hollycoopcards.Etsy.com).

At hollycoopauthor.wordpress.com, Coop shares reflections, nuggets of wisdom, and anything that comes to mind.

Coop resides in Joliet, Illinois with her husband, children, and furry friends.

For more information, visit HollyCoopBooks.com.

 

Steven James Cordin is a native of the Chicago South Suburbs. Cordin works in the financial crimes prevention industry, which is how he became interested in writing crime fiction. 

In addition to his writing, Cordin enjoys weightlifting and working on business projects with his brother.  His crime and horror fiction can be found in several anthologies, Shotgun Honey, and The Yard, Crime Blog. He currently lives near Joliet, Illinois.

 

Cean Magosky is a surgical nurse, sometime musician, and history buff, He’s been a WriteOn Joliet member since 2020, contributing to multiple anthologies as well as the annual WriteOn Joliet radio theater event. He is also active in the story-teller community with Barbara Eberhard’s Stories-R-Us.

 

Drawing on experiences in theatre, musical performance and outdoor life, Cean’s writing focuses on sharply drawn images, diverse characters and a strong sense of place and time.

 

Jenny Russ writes fiction of all kinds ranging from general and serious to whimsical and peculiar. They are the author of “The Heart’s Bone,” a fictional account of Tibet’s youngest self-immolators, and “Whitewallsville: One Man’s Journey Through Tigers, Frozen Birds, and Suicide,” a story of grief and redemption set within the walls of a mental health treatment center. They also write for and perform in WriteOn Joliet’s annual Radio Play. 

When Russ is not writing, they enjoy petting dogs, smelling old books, cosplay, and all things spooky, nerdy, or absurd.

Duanne Walton said: "Writing is my gift from God and it's been with me forever. It's seen me through rough times and brought me to WriteOn Joliet where I've found support, encouragement and friends. 

"I've also discovered other talents as an intrepid videographer, interpretive dancer or mime, and comic strip writer artist. I am blessed and thankful."

Check out Duanne’s YouTube channel at 4thtroika (@4thtroika), where you'll see his recordings of WriteOn Joliet live events along with a wide assortment of Duanne's videos on varied topics.

For more information, visit youtube.com/@4thtroika.

 

ABOUT WRITEON JOLIET

WriteOn Joliet is a welcoming, diverse group of writers of varied skills, interests and experience. The group includes professional journalists, fiction novelists, bloggers, screenwriters, musicians and poets.

We promise a safe, comfortable and supportive atmosphere to share your work, and constructive feedback so that everyone can benefit from our shared knowledge.

WriteOn is a dues-paying organization. The first visit is free.

For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com.

 

Sue's Diner: Roast Stuffed Opossum

This week's recipe is featured for only the second time on the Sue's Diner page - mostly because we've no inclination to try it. 

Ron actually grew up eating opossum and never liked it, too greasy, he said. 

So we have a photo of bacon to share (because bacon is used in the recipe) but no actual photo of the completed dish. But for those willing to order exotic meat and try it, we have a recipe for you.

This recipe for roast stuffed opossum was first published in the 1950's Ford Motor Company’s, The Ford Treasury of Favorite Recipes from Famous Eating Places. From the collection of The Henry Ford. Used with written permission.

This recipe also appears in the BryonySeries cookbook Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

My mother owned the little cookbook where this recipe first appeared and lent it to me when I was creating the BryonySeries cookbook. The cookbook is out of print, but I still reached out to The Henry Ford for permission to use some of the recipes and written permission was granted.

Many of those "famous eating places" no longer exist. So it's kinda cool that we preserved a piece of culinary history in a cookbook that pays homage to history.

Here's where roast stuffed opossum is referenced in the BryonySeries novel Bryony,

Although Simons Mansion hosted most of Munsonville’s festivities, the villagers reciprocated one summer with a celebration in honor of John and Bryony Simons, with John providing the entertainment. A torn dress kept Melissa away from the refreshment table, but, except for the cake, we doubt she would have eaten anything from it, anyway.

You can try the recipe for roast stuffed opossum on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place.

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

"Shades of Noir" and Roc City Bar & Grill

On April 18, eight members of WriteOn Joliet will present “Shades of Noir." an original radio theater production, at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

"Shades of Noir" authors and performers were Denise M. Baran-Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Ed Calkins,  Steve Cordin, Cean Magosky, Jenny Russ, and Duanne Walton.

Director was Jake Thomas.

Production assistant was Rebekah Baran.

And for the second year in a row, we ordered food for cast, crew, and helpers between performances from Rock City Bar & Grill in Rockdale.

Except this year, mere hours before the park was to print our playbill, Roc City's owner Tommy offered to generously discount the food.

The cost was then reduced to zero thanks to contributions from  B.L.O.C.K.S. and Paula Sanzenbacher of Garden Keepers in Chicago.

Tommy's one request when he personally delivered the food was to meet the cast and crew and take photos with us.

But Tommy brought more than food...

...he brought swag for all!!!

Seriously, cast, crew, everybody received a bag of swag!

I promised Tommy that I'd blog about his generosity and add photos of happy people enjoying his food.

The blog was no problem.

The problem with photos was that I was overseeing everything and making sure people headed to the green room for food.

By the time I was able to get my own food and take photos, well, most of the food was gone.

And it was seriously A LOT of food. 

You are seeing all that remained of four pizzas and three boxes of beef pockets.

And that's on top of the fruit tray Jenny brought, the brownies Mauverneen baked, and the cookies and minature cupcakes Rebekah served.

Next year, we'll just need more food!

Keep scrolling for our other sponsors.

Cast supplies provided by Edward and Nancy Calkins.

Cast T-shirt sponsors are Coops Bowsmith and Holly Coop Books.

Mauverneen Blevins created all the marketing materials.

In addition, the first ten attendees at each performance received a FREE 2025 WriteOn Joliet anthology, courtesy of the BryonySeries creative group B.L.O.C.K.S.

The first thirteen attendees at the BryonySeries before the 2 p.m.performance and the first twelve attendees at the BryonySeries table before the 7 p.m. performance received a FREE booklet called "Angel or Demon" (source material for one of the show's pieces), courtesy of The Raven's House, who sold selling select noir pieces at the BryonySeries table.

See the middle noir piece in the graphic?

I now own it.

Had to buy it before doors opened for the first show before someone else did!

And don't you think...

...it worked well with my dress?

A Small Move of the Needle

Good morning!

Last December (as you may recalls), the BryonySeries B.L.O.C.K.S. team organized two holiday children's book drives.

We had a donation box at The Book Market in Crest Hill (spearheaded by Rebekah) to collect BryonySeries children's books (Bertrand the Mouse series, The Adventures of Cornell Dyer series, and Girls of the BryonySeries series) for Santa Services, as we've done in the past.

But we also decided to collect BryonySeries books and other children's books for the Will County Children's Advocacy Center after learning they had a need for them throughout the year.

We finally have the results of our efforts.

We sent fifty Bertrand the Mouse to Santa Services for since Santa loves to give books away at his appearances for low-income families.

A few patrons at The Book Market bought BryonySeries and other children's books for the Will County Children's Advocacy Center. And Jan Staley, the store's owner, donated some, too.

And then Cindy piggybacked and expanded the book drive for the center at her work place, which provided most of the books we wound up donating.

So earlier in April, we brought nearly 250 books (230 from Cindy's workplace) to the Will County Children's Advocacy Center.

We waited this long because the donations at Cindy's workplace kept coming even after the holidays.

Of course, Cindy removed any book appeared damaged before donating them.

Cindy also received donations toward BryonySeries books for events B.L.O.C.K.S. will host or participate in during the year.

As you might recall, Timothy and Daniel participated in the Will County Children's Advocacy Center "Men Who Cook" fundraiser on October 11, 2025.

We remember the date because it was Daniel's thirtieth birthday.

And Daniel worked the event on this milestone birthday with a migraine.

The children's book drive (and other donation events we've hosted) was a lot of work, and we know we're not moving the needle of meeting the need in the world by very much.

We certainly don't have the time and resources of major corporations that can really make an impactful difference.

But we also believe small blessings can, when added up and in due time, yield big results.

Years ago I read it's always better to light one candle than curse the darkness.

So we try not to let our lamp go out at night.

Have a most blessed day!