Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Oct. 2 through Oct. 7

All righty, vampire fans: a quick recap. I'm running behind, and it's a long work day and a packed weekend.

YES, I'm still working on Before the Blood. Also this month, we've been working on releasing two books, the first in the Adventures of Cornell Dyer series for middle schoolers and the first book in the Bertrand the Mouse series for young children. We're eyeing an early November release and launching a Bertrand the Mouse Instagram page, too.

Also, if you're a fan of the BryonySeries or any of its elements, please follow the series at @BryonySeries. 

Why? Because I share posts related to writing and anything topical in the series, from history to literature to art to architecture to pop culture to recipes to cats.

What else?

I'm appearing on my very first author panel at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning at the Plainfield Public Library. That panel will be followed by an author fair at 11 a.m. You must register to attend the author panel. Details on that and upcoming events are Here: http://www.bryonyseries.com/Fetes_and_Feasts.html.

Also tomorrow, I've giving away free copies of Snowbell while they last. So if you haven't sampled my "other" writing (not my official newspaper features writing), here's your chance.

And now, the weekly recap:

First, the non-bylined work: the health, faith, and arts and entertainment calendars. Three of them can be found at the link below. http://www.theherald-news.com/lifestyle/ Gotta Do It, runs each Sunday and often stays on the home page throughout the week.

Feature briefs for Tuesday (health), Thursday (faith), Friday (Arts and Entertainment), and Sunday (People) are also edited (texted and photos) by the lady of this blog, but only the stories have bylines.

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

And if you do peek at these stories, to quote our editor Kate Schott, "Thank you for reading The Herald-News." :)

Mokena man found success in tile and grout

Dan Lundstedt owns the top-performing location for a national company

“The thing about Dan is he’s creative; he’s not afraid to take chances; he’s very trainable and very coachable; and he has a true entrepreneur spirit. It’s built into his DNA. I can see it,” Jeff Gill, co-owner of Sir Grout, said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/09/29/mokena-man-found-success-in-tile-and-grout/ak1o3gg/

Crest Hill breast cancer survivor forms nonprofit, hosting Oct. 22 fundraiser (VIDEO EXTRA)

Castela McElrath is raising funds and awareness for breast cancer patients and their families

“The black community doesn’t speak to each other much about cancer,” McElrath said. “They don’t like to think about it. They think it will go away.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/10/01/crest-hill-breast-cancer-survivor-forms-nonprofit-hosting-oct-22-fundraiser/amilglk/

Joliet man lived goodness and promoted togetherness

Jerry P’Pool gave, gave and then gave some more

Jerry lent money to those in need, never expecting to receive it back. In fact, people who couldn’t pay it back were those most likely to receive help from Jerry. Angela thinks Jerry still is keeping that tradition from heaven.

“I find pennies every week in the most random places,” Angela said. “I like to think they’re from my dad.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/09/19/joliet-man-lived-goodness-and-promoted-togetherness/afou3kr/

The tale of the church sheep at St. Francis Xavier in Joliet

Imitation sheep at Joliet church are building real community

Positioning the sheep has strengthened the communal sense in the 560-family parish. It’s also been good for the sheep, who certainly aren’t lonely. Langsdorf surmises the church has 16 sheep, but he isn’t certain.

“During the summer, someone went out and bought more sheep,” Langsdorf said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/09/29/the-tale-of-the-church-sheep-at-st-francis-xavier-in-joliet/afzh3xy/

Joliet Junior College's film festival addresses elections, gender identity and the Plainfield tornado

Joliet Junior College’s 4th film festival to feature 3 different movies

“This is a time when we need empathy. There is a shortage of it in the world,” Gisele Atterberry, JJC fine arts professor, said. “Films help us understand people and their situations. I think there is something about being in an audience with other people, hearing when they laugh and sensing when they are silent.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/10/06/joliet-junior-colleges-film-festival-addresses-elections-gender-identity-and-the-plainfield-tornado/amjn7lk/