Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Oct. 9 through Oct. 14

Very quick recap today, as it's been an extraordinarily busy wee, and I am far behind (as I go into a working weekend as the weekend editor for two newspapers).

Our managing editor announced on Monday that she has accepted a new job and is leaving today. Our new editor starts in three days.

I took on three extra cover stories this week, two for news and for that's supposed to be an anonymous byline, the third project in this series I've done so far (we're mixing them up among the editors).

And so huffing and puffing away, here's my weekly roundup of my writing work that pays my bills.

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.

I also put together an extra calendar, a listing of area craft fairs for 2016: http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/09/13/area-craft-events/aei3pml/

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 for the last time, "Thank you for reading The Herald-News." :)

Catholic university in Romeoville to host a secular exhibit exploring forgiveness

New exhibit at Lewis University shares personal accounts of forgiveness

The very word “forgiveness” calls up varied images for different people. Weakness. Heroism.

But forgiveness, Louise Hext, North America curator for the exhibit, said, does not mean condoning a horrific act.

“It’s a very brave thing to sit down in front of a person who murdered your only son and forgive him, but that’s what Mary Johnson did.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/10/04/catholic-university-in-romeoville-to-host-a-secular-exhibit-exploring-forgiveness/a2sb26i/

An Extraordinary Life: Channahon music teacher encouraged excellence in her students

Claudia Krause made music special in her students’ lives

Kassy Krause also remembers being 8 or 9 and standing next to Claudia while her mother sang a descant version of “Silent Night.”

“That was the most beautiful thing I ever heard my mother sing,” Kassy said. “I remember thinking, ‘That’s what I want to be.’ ”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/10/05/an-extraordinary-life-channahon-music-teacher-encouraged-excellence-in-her-students/a8bgq64/

Belmont Little League's ballpark in Joliet in serious need of repair

The PA system doesn’t work on any of the three fields, Shannon Wolf said. Neither do the scoreboards. The dugouts on the older fields are so bad that if it rains, the players are “sitting ducks.”

And don’t get Wolf, second vice president of the league and former coach as well as player, started on the bleachers.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/10/04/belmont-little-leagues-ballpark-in-joliet-in-serious-need-of-repair/a3sys56/

Will County Take Back the Night committee members recall 20 years of rallying against abuse

Annual grass-roots event affecting views on domestic violence

When Lora McGuire learned the student’s husband inflicted the injury, she told the student, “You have to go to the police.” The student’s reply stunned McGuire: “He is the police.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/10/03/will-county-take-back-the-night-committee-members-recall-20-years-of-rallying-against-abuse/a1bn32s/

Plainfield church to offer simulated tours of third world countries

Bleak lives of 3rd World children shown in ‘The Compassion Experience’

“I would encourage anyone to see it, especially if they don’t have the money to go to another country,” Steve Hinkle said. “People will walk away with a better understanding. I can’t think of another word other than ‘impactful.’ ”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/10/03/plainfield-church-to-offer-simulated-tours-of-third-world-countries/awt95ry/

New York Times bestselling author with Coal City, Plainfield ties coming to Joliet library

Essex resident Denise Swanson shares her publishing journey

In 2010, she made the New York Times bestselling list for the first time and then she made it five more times after that.

Swanson’s now delving into self-publishing with her romance stories. Having experienced both sides of the publishing fence, she sees pros and cons to each.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/10/11/new-york-times-bestselling-author-with-coal-city-plainfield-ties-coming-to-joliet-library/a7a3x7u/