Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, May 5 through May 10

A BryonySeries weekend awaits me!

I woke up this morning to a message from Amazon that the proof copy for the fourth installment of Before the Blood has shipped and should arrive tomorrow.

If deadlines weren't enough to keep me motivated today, this was!

Timothy has scheduled a planning breakfast tomorrow morning for the fourth book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer chapter book series.

After that, I'll stop at The Book Market to replenish my books and chat with WriteOn Joliet member Jennifer Russ, who will be selling and signing books from noon to 2 p.m.

By then, "Henry" should be on my doorstep. If not, I'll get to work on the memoir.

Basically my plans for the next two days are to alternate copy editing BTB with finishing up (I hope) the first draft of the memoir.

Cannot wait!!!

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:

Once Timothy Baran is done updating this page, these will listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts.

Check out the progress he has made so far. Each square is hand-built.

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.

Impacting the people she serves
Antoinette Morris recognized for her work at Trinity Services in New Lenox

Antoinette Morris said:"Knowing I make an impact on the people I serve on an everyday basis so they can eventually do everyday things independently is enough of a reward for me."

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/05/01/impacting-the-people-she-serves/a5c6tkf/


Help keep someone else's light on
Minooka woman hosting Zumba event in #Joliet to raise money for suicide awareness

"This is a Christian family, a solid Christian family," Sonya Dejirolami said. "They adopted a girl from China. You'd think they're an All-American family. But this hit them and it hit them hard. It was just shocking to the community. Sometimes mental health can be disguised as something else and people give up on these people."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/01/983faa5b4b3b456bb5fd7fcffd704b6b/index.xml


Joliet hospice chaplain writes guide for living life to the end

"We all have challenges," Rev. Jim McGuire said. "How do we remain calm in the midst of them? In the book, I will give you some ideas on how to maintain calmness."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/04/30/809c5c5b645248ffaf2048fce98d0a92/index.xml


One of the girls
Special needs girl joins Brownie troop and volunteers at Joliet thrift store

Thanks to Vicki Gacki, a volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul thirft store on Jefferson Street in Joliet and former co-leader of New Lenox Girl Scout Troop 75208, a special needs girl became a Brownie and a helper all in the same day.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/07/380d255a4dbb48e7ac55df3c33141753/index.xml


VIDEO: Helpers for a Day

Ron Moore, store manager at a St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in Joliet, explains the store's mission to New Lenox Girl Scout Troop 75208.

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/8b5a0091-0465-476f-ade2-cb9fa6de4181.html


VIDEO: Welcoming Abigail

New Lenox Girl Scout Troop 75208, along with honorary Girl Scout Ron Moore, store manager of St. Vincent de Paul thrift store on Jefferson Street in Joliet, welcome a special needs girl into the troop.

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/0d7bd795-42a0-4830-b789-339e0d1cbfc2.html


The many shades of David Gray
He's managed food services, transportation services and much more for D. 204 in 
Joliet 

As Gray prepares to retire, check out the many roles he's assumed, many of them simultaneously.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/07/27d0cfc9d4634e899ad7d0646f06ec00/index.xml


Joliet area artisans offer ideas for Mother's Day gifts

About half a dozen suggestions for you.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/09/2fdf23d6ea014aca94fa895f6d82e23b/index.xml


Artworks: quilts that break traditional quilting rules
Darcy Berg is exhibiting her art quilts at Joliet cafe

Where traditional quilts must meet perfectly; art quilts are praised for their perfect imperfection.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/08/642b86ebe7ae406499a9914695d10f01/index.xml

LocalLit book spotlight: 'Fang Face' by Norm Cowie of Chicago

So knowing I'm a fan of good vampire stories, Chicago author Norm Cowie sent me a copy of his young adult novel "Fang Face." Last week, I finally had a chance to read it. In this Tuesday's LocalLit newsletter, I'll review it.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/05/09/d74886909e2c46dba11bebfc33703b55/index.xml?page=1

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