Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, May 6 through May 11

First and foremost: if you know any single moms who could use a bit of pampering on Mother's Day, be sure to read the first story. RSVP for the event is today.

Writerly forecast for the next three days: Long work day today as Saturday is full: discussing details of The Herald-News' new LocalLit short story news letter at a St. Charles writer's group in the morning, attending a birthday for two grandchildren in the afternoon. I'm hoping to write/edit fiction on Sunday afternoon following church (and maybe sneak in a bit Saturday night, too).

And that's the weekend, over before it starts, LOL!

But the BryonySeries blog tour resumes Monday. For a list of tour hosts, go HERE.

And now for...

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 some only on 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.

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to jon WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/writeonminooka/?ref=bookmarks. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at www.bryonyseries.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. And for those who came out to WriteOn Joliet's open mic night last night. Your support is greatly appreciated.

A heart and 'soul' for single moms

Joliet woman hosting soiree for single moms, RSVP by May 11 

"I just want them to feel a sense of joy in knowing someone cares," Israeio Holloway said. "They should not feel alone in their struggles in being a parent."

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/05/04/23d8d56b09a9481091bda1e6c8e68877/index.xml

An Extraordinary Life: Joliet woman traded music for love

“She was a fantastic musician,” said Phyllis’ daughter, Linda Trager, of Joliet. “She could play by heart.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/05/06/531b55d4d70448bcb3864bdf81d99351/index.xml

'I had a mass the size of a football'

Joliet Junior College culinary arts graduate battling testicular cancer 

Up until that point, Vonhoff had some great culinary adventures. In a 2014 Herald-News story, Vonhoff talked about how he'd cooked for celebrities.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/05/07/2b126ebeb97d4fcfbda1eb429858ed4f/index.xml


Mystery Diner: Channahon's Country Glaze Donut Shoppe offers many varieties

Check out our mystery doughnut expert as she samples nearly two dozen doughnuts!

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/05/05/12ee89aee91a4198a51838ba2b475bcd/index.xml

Blessed by God with the gift to write

Joliet author releases first book for children

"It's important for children to know Jesus," LaToya Hosey said. "And it's important to for adults to allow children to speak about Jesus."

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/05/09/e36a03f9c4f340a6a368eb4512a58d3d/index.xml?page=1

Of emotions and memories

No posed images for this New Lenox family photographer 

Owned by Erin Gunther of New Lenox, Waffles & Honey focuses on family portraits in natural settings, especially maternity and newborn photography (and babies in their first year) and "Mommy and Me" sessions.

The result, Gunther said, are producing that are "real and authentic."

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/05/09/5b9bc6100aaf4a2ebed733a84ebf49b7/index.xml

Joliet man performs roots rock, blues

Next show set Saturday

Charles Pelkie said he began playing guitar in his teens and writing songs about eight years ago.

“I always had little snippets of songs in my head since I was a teenager,” Pelkie said. “And I always had bits of song rifts and parts of melodies and interesting bits of lyrics in my head. But I never sat down to put them into something cohesive that made sense and had a story to tell, and had characters as part of those songs.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/05/09/0855cbf173e2428ca084df7acf7ae38f/index.xml

LocalLit author spotlight: Vanessa Stephens of Joliet

"I enjoy trying different genres of story-telling. My favorites being Gothic, horror, suspense, supernatural and enjoy melding them together in unique ways," Stephens said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/04/16/locallit-author-spotlight-vanessa-stephens-of-joliet/at20m03/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff or @MattCoundiff on Twitter.