Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 17 through Dec. 23

Lots to look at this week, and lots of extra deadlines to meet today!

So today I'll just "wave" and continue right onto the stories.

Oh, wait! I do have some very exciting news to share. Bertrand received his very first Christmas present yesterday at WriteOn Joliet's annual Christmas party. And, no, the gift wasn't from me. Check it out on Bertrand's Instagram page, information below.

A quick look ahead: I do have several events scheduled into 2018 and will share those here soon. If you'd like a sneak peak, 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.

And 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.

Telling of their yuletide treasure

We’re long past the days of hanging German mercury glass ornaments or lighting candle stubs on the Christmas tree.

Ornaments today serve more purpose than decoration – they’re treasured keepsakes holding lifetimes of memories.

So I posed this question on Facebook: Do you have a special ornament (or collection of ornaments) you hang every year?

Here are the responses. Enjoy!

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/12/14/a666f9038c374f31bca49085c50c0939/index.xml

Plainfield native leaves Roosevelt a changed man

Sam Grzelak owes his transformation to Roosevelt, he said.

“I was afraid to talk on the phone before,” Grzelak said. “Well, I got past that.”

addressed

Enough to address more than 400 fellow graduates on Dec. 15 at Roosevelt University’s Auditorium Theatre in Chicago.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/12/15/plainfield-native-leaves-roosevelt-a-changed-man/aihzhx3/

No one could match this New Lenox woman's kindness

Jim Chuporak, coordinator at the Drop In program at Trinity Services until he retired in 2014, said he met Maria in 2003 and that her kindness "will never be matched by anyone else."

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/12/15/f97941ac87344a2693775559dcb0c1e3/index.xml?page=1

None of them naughty, all of them nice

Local pets pose with Santa

A visit with Santa: What would the holiday season be without it?

And it’s not just for kids anymore. If the following photos show anything, it’s that pets like to pose with the jolly man in the red suit as much as the children do.

And Santa is happy to do it.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/12/16/5f314b4888314cd89944c52525a8a57d/index.xml?page=1

Despite ALS, former Kankakee firefighter impacted others

By the time Derek was hospitalized, he had a feeding tube and communicated with eye-controlled assistive technology. The former Shorewood resident died Dec. 15. He was 34.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/12/18/despite-als-former-kankakee-firefighter-impacted-others/a851nbz/

Pets of the Week: Dec. 18

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/2017/12/11/bd86ed91587a40d7aa2903d5eff14937/index.xml

New Lenox, Lemont boutiques offer peace and beauty to breast cancer patients

Each time a customer buys a necklace, he or she is asked to write a positive or encouraging note. These notes are attached to necklaces, which are then boxed together and given to cancer patients at Advocate Christ Medical Center.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/12/12/85b35c0c6aad4bbba30353315ea98ca2/index.xml

Doc Watson's Smokehouse in Romeoville has a clear barbecue philosophy

From the moment you reach the door at Doc Watson's Smokehouse in Romeoville, it's clear their barbecue philosophy.

ttp://www.theheraldnews.com/lists/2017/12/19/b92880eaf909464bb94cc834c1d588e4/index.xml?page=1

See Christmas through the eyes of a child

Check out the artwork by local youth.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/12/15/2265a76221864d68b0f4eb36a709bb5a/index.xml

Plainfield band mixes meaning with music

The band’s current passion is raising money for the USO through benefit concerts.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/10/28/plainfield-band-mixes-meaning-with-music/awnsqi7/