Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Sept. 23 through Sept. 28

In a word: WOW!

Wow! Wow! Wow!

A HUGE, heartfelt THANK YOU to each and every person who took a few minutes to stop by Book and Bean Cafe in Joliet to check out the "Art of the BryonySeries" exhibit and meet the artists: Matt Coundiff, Terri Ellinger, Topher Gleason, and Sue Midlock.

The last guest left at four minutes to closing time.

If you missed it, there's still time to see it.

The very nice Dick Schuster from Joliet Community Television (JCTV) came out and did a 15-minute segment. He is planning to air the episode several times a day through the next mont (the exhibit comes down on Oct. 31).

For the station's program schedule, visit cityofjoliet.info/residents/jctv.

Also, the exhibit will remain up another month. I do have plenty of photos to share and am hoping to make albums on the BryonySeries Facbeook page in another week or so.

To learn more about each individual artist, visit the story that ran in The Herald-News:

Artworks: 4 artists in group show at Joliet cafe

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/28/bc593eb99bc3459285b283962945731f/index.xml

And now, here's where to find me on social media and links to this weeks's feature 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 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.

Upcoming events: 

These are listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts

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. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Romeoville mom is ready to speak up Will share her experiences with domestic violence at Take Back the Night in Joliet

Alicia Guerrero said she is taking her cues from past Take Back the Night speakers as to the details she’ll share at the event. She’ll discuss her experiences and about the importance of speaking up if one is being abused or know someone being abused.

She’ll talk about Briana, her teen daughter, who was stalked and then murdered.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/09/21/romeoville-mom-is-ready-to-speak-up/acjjj43/


More than yarn and patient stitches
Feature editor remembers a woman who turned illness into service 

On Aug. 5, Joanie Sliepka was recognized at our church for being a five-year cancer survivor, an event my daughter caught on video with her phone. On Aug. 24, I received a text from another church member that Joanie was in the ICU because of a heart attack. She died Aug. 27. She was 74.

But St. Nicholas still will have some lap robes for its 2019 spaghetti dinner.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/09/18/8ca8906610384fbc95cbd290b4fa4ced/index.xml


Joliet organization invites the community to support victims of domestic violence

Here are two easy ways to help Guardian Angel Community Services as it helps victims of domestic abuse.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/09/19/257e1ce7758e49ca868fd75567045bae/index.xml?page=1

Whisking It Up: Cutting up chickens saves money

Joliet Junior College chef instructor Paul Bringas explains the steps, makes stock, too.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/09/25/61d8a2023d634f228f5597bafb41f7ba/index.xml

Whisking It Up with JJC (a new cooking show, episode 1)

An 8-week "cooking show" made possible by the video talents of HN reporter Alex Ortiz. "Whisking it Up with JJC - Episode 1" Joliet Junior College chef instructor Paul Bringas shows how to cut up a whole chicken and make homemade chicken stock.

http://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/fae4fb20-0e8d-4fa2-a52f-f5a881bc4db2.html

Still creating a 'New Life for Haiti'
Plainfield based organization hosting annual fundraising gala on Oct. 20 

"We did not know anything when we went to Haiti," Fran Leeman, pastor of LifeSpring Church in Plainfield, from which New Life for Haiti sprang, said. "We did not have any money to go and do things when we started. It's been a privilege. We hope and pray more people will catch the vision of being a part of what we do."

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/09/26/48e51f6a10fb4ce2916c3a36f96926e4/index.xml


Celebrate the love of coffee twice this week
Joliet area residents offer suggestions for the best ways to enjoy the brew

My picks for the best coffee in the area along with suggestions from area residents.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/09/25/9f49c502bf74445a97ea1ca24494d5c7/index.xml


Artworks: Doing their part for those in need at home and abroad
Guild at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Joliet makes quilts for Lutheran World Mission

"These ladies are so dedicated that if they don't get sheets and fillers, they put their own money in so they have the materials to make them," Nannette Alton-Labus said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/09/25/artworks-doing-their-part-for-those-in-need-at-home-and-abroad/am3yecy/


LocalLit author spotlight: Wendy Bialek of St. Charles

Bialek said: "I am drawn to the kind of stories my grandmother, and my aunt after her, shared with me. Curious adventures, quirky stories of real people in unlikely circumstances, people dealing with challenges that are overwhelming one day, forgotten the next. My stories are a product of my memories, my imagination and the people who have touched my life.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/09/25/locallit-author-spotlight-wendy-bialek-of-st-charles/aqbo0b9/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff