Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Feb. 17 through Feb. 22

Good sleepy (YAWN) Friday morning, readers.

Before I share this week's feature stories, here's a quick view over the top of my coffee:

I'll be selling and signing books, as well as chatting to guests on March 23 at The Book Market in Crest Hill as WriteOn Joliet's Author of the Month.

Since the Author of the Month was my concept, I wasn't going to take a month unless we needed a month to fill. March's author had to drop out, so I saw this as an opportunity to help someone, too.

For on that same date, I'll also be selling homemade soy candles in five BryonySeries scents an various sizes and prices: bryony (an herbal-ish scent), purple rose, Sue's Diner (vanilla pudding), Simons Woods (pine) and Lake Munson (ocean breeze).

Our candlemaker is battling lung cancer, and I'd like to find good homes for all of the candles she made for us. If you cannot attend the March 23 event and would like one or more candles, please message me at bryonyseries @gmail.com.

This weekend: I plan to complete the formatting of book three of Before the Blood and read through it over the next week. Also on my list is the second half of the third book in the Adventures of Cornell Dyer series and shooting a new book of Bertrand the Mouse...with (hopefully) the book available on March 23.

However, I do have one interview and two in-depth work projects for Saturday as well. So we shall see...

Now, here's where to find information and after that, 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 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.

Rescuing a sick and hurting pelican in Wilmington

Barb Krupa, volunteer with Wildlife Repair Shop, said: "It was really scared and had been in pain a long time. A few days later, the lake froze. He would have starved to death alone."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/15/ac1550023aeb4cd987164bad0c67bf24/index.xml?page=1


Baran-Unland: Liturgical calendar points the way to prayer

 During dinner, Zacchaeus' heart was changed. He promised not only to change his behavior, he would repay anyone he cheated over and above the required amount.

I feel the gospel has a great message before we prepare for Lent.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/19/baran-unland-liturgical-calendar-points-the-way-to-prayer/af26ifg/


'I only saw a person who needed help' 
Beloved Joliet doctor to retire on Feb. 22 

Dr. Kishor Ajmere's wife Kumud said: "His patients are always his priority. No matter what. No matter what time the ER calls. If someone goes into the ER and the ER calls, he gets up from the bed and he tells them exactly what medicine they're taking. He knows the dosage, the quantity. I feel he was born to serve his patients."

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/12/i-only-saw-a-person-who-needed-help/aga5byp/


'New' clothes for the community
Teens to host their first free thrift store on Feb. 23 in Minooka

 "When we go thrift shopping, I feel really good wearing the items to school," Moreno said. "Even though they are not new, they are new to us. It's a good feeling and we wanted to make other people feel good."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/19/2af767d37e48404ea6777817c214b9fa/index.xml


Humble grilled cheese goes upscale
Channahon restaurant offering these sandwiches with wine pairings

 John Mathias, co-owner with his wife Maura Mathias, said the restaurant's chefs are creating "adult" versions of the familiar grilled cheese sandwiches, dinner sandwiches and dessert sandwiches, and pairing it with a flight of wine.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/19/f81fa007c2aa48faad4e120351561f47/index.xml


Joliet artist encourages creativity 
Gleason said: 'You can draw whatever you want, paint whatever you want' 

BryonySeries artist Topher Gleason leads a mural project at his daughter's school.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/19/b7f2c973302d4953926196e020f11ed1/index.xml


Artworks: Joliet Drama Guild performing 'Born Yesterday' this weekend

"I like the old shows," Sue Kaspar, director, said. "So when nobody else wants to do the old shows, because nobody knows anything about them, I say, 'All right, I'll do them."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/13/88e8ac78e4164d6d812d6c60d2f57fca/index.xml


LocalLit author spotlight: Julie Panasik of Elburn

Panasik said: "My featured memoir is about an experience I had while babysitting when an intruder who had escaped from a mental health center forced his way into the house."

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/07/locallit-author-spotlight-julie-panasik-of-elburn/aukwca3/

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