Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 10 through Dec. 15

It's been an intense week!

I am looking forward to tomorrow: fiction, tying up a few loose ends, and an annual feast day dinner with Rebekah Baran.

So many of us have bucket lists, and while I personally do not, the BryonySeries does (yes a BryonySeries Book Marketing Bucket List). I do have one item on that list I'd like to make happen in March, and I will need your help. More on this come Monday.

Speaking of bucket lists and looking ahead, I do have several events scheduled into 2018. One of them is "How to Self-Publish a Book for (Nearly) Free" on Jan. 11. Details are HERE.

If you'd like a sneak peak at the others, visit the Fetes and Feasts page at www.bryonyseries.com and the events page at www.facebook.com/BryonySeries.

Also in 2018, I'll be starting a newsletter. I'm giving away the first chapter of one of the books in the Before the Blood prequel as a "thank you" for signing up. Want to be included? Drop me a line at bryonyseries@gmail.com. Want more information? Visit www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times.

Now some quick information before the stories:

Also in 2018, I'll be starting a newsletter. I'm giving away the first chapter of one of the books in the BTB prequel as a "thank you" for signing up. Want to be included? Drop me a line at bryonyseries@gmail.com

Now some quick information before the stories:

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 in 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.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Joliet woman helps others to 'Say It With A Sign'

That's the name LeAnn Ryan of Joliet gave to her business when she founded it nearly a decade ago. But it's also her suggestion for personalizing a present for a loved one.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/12/05/92f85a98a34749df83b72bd77a4b5997/index.xml?page=1

No place like home for Joliet mom

While many people associate their mothers with home – in her poem, Holly Coop references wonderful food her mother prepared for holidays and ordinary days – the mom/home connection runs especially deep for Janet Butler.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/11/29/88e7c1dbef8f4707bd04e256493fb1a2/index.xml?page=1

Neither water nor land could keep Tibby and Shorewood woman apart

Noelle Viola recently went to Germany to bring home Tiny Tibby, a 5-month old papillon weighing 3.1 pounds, bringing the count of Noelle's current fur babies to five.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/12/05/a97b43816aca4fc386eb131e0b503ce2/index.xml?page=1


Pets of the Week: Dec. 11 

Read the caption of each photo to find out about that pet, including where he or she can be adopted.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/12/08/7648b4aebd6c4518942c5644c261ff2c/index.xml

'Saying goodbye'

Channahon man with ALS decides to come off life support

On Monday Dec. 11, Chief Damon Schuldt and other members of the Kankakee Fire Department visited with Derek Hogg.

That was the same day Hogg, a former Kankakee firefighter, announced on his Facebook page his decision to remove himself from life support. He was intubated Oct. 29 after a cold turned into pneumonia and septic shock.

Hogg was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in May 2013 shortly after he turned 30.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/12/12/ebd8e05325e2446cbea7455a980903f6/index.xml?page=1

Sushi N Noodle by OISI in Plainfield offers variety of rolls, homemade ramen

The "one" had been pining to try the homemade ramen, but the venue worked for everyone. That's because one of us is infatuated with Asian culture and cuisine, while another two are adventurous when it comes to trying new foods. Two had a taste for mochi, and if you don't know what that is, well, you soon will.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/12/11/22c22994767740ce9777ca642a94f748/index.xml

Have you heard what Paul Baltz heard?

Former Joliet resident yearns to hear forgotten Christmas song one last time

Paul Baltz, 77, hasn’t heard or sung his favorite carol in more than 50 years. Worse, no one Baltz knows appears to remember the carol. The carol is called “Across the Hills,” and it was written in the 1940s by a former pastor at the Cathedral of St. Raymond for parish use only.

Read on. Because Baltz is in for a surprise.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/12/13/27a3e41642d04f0f8e0eb71cc858ba80/index.xml

Former pastor composed only for Joliet parish

St. Ray’s choir director and associate organist reviving the legacy

“Across the Hills” is a Christmas carol written in the 1940s by the cathedral pastor at the time, the Rev. Edwin V. Hoover, who collaborated with his associate pastor the Rev. James Riley.

“It was only ever done at St. Ray’s,” Siegel said. “It was never published, as were none of Hoover’s works.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/12/13/former-pastor-composed-only-for-joliet-parish/a92uqel/

Christian variation of ‘The Nutcracker’ to be performed in New Lenox

"Even if you don't think the first Christmas is factual, this story is so beautiful and so whimsical and so well done, it will bring you into the holiday spirit," Ballet 5:8 artistic director Julianna Slager said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/12/12/19ecbfb6b1f24e0abdc02088c24bc95e/index.xml?page=1

Joliet superintendent connects with kids through music

"I said, 'Yes,' because I love our music program, and the more I can support it, the better," Therese Rouse said. "Music is such an important part of the learning process, and I want to be able to show the students it's important to me to join them on this tour."

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/12/12/a2a0176eecc7437f9af1f1951ea7c832/index.xml?page=1

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for Visage or Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff or @MattCoundiff on Twitter.