Friday, September 27, 2019

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Sept. 15 through Sept. 27

Today I present to you two weeks of feature stories, since I was off last Friday and did not post a blog.

This weekend is my 40th high school reunion, but I'm still hoping to sneak a bit of fiction throughout the next couple of days.

And speaking of fiction, if you like to write (and even if you're just looking for a good book to read), stop at the Joliet Public Library's downtown branch this Thursday.

Eleven members of WriteOn Joliet (including me) will be available to discuss the writing process and offer tips in specific genres in this pre-National Novel Writing Month event.

Even if you're not planning on writing a novel, or even if you don't write fiction at all, we can still help. Some of the members present are poets, others are essayist, and some are both!

But if you're simply a reader who prefers to revel in the works of others, we can help there, too, as we will have our books for sale, along with copies of WriteOn Joliet's anthologies (and information on the Nov. 15 party for our four release).

Have a great weekend readers, writers, and BryonySeries fans!

Now, here's where to find information:


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): 

 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. And be sure to "hover" your hand over the first square. Note: this only works (so far) with the desktop version.

But he's also made A LOT of changes to the website. So be sure to roam around a bit.

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at www.bryonyseries.com. Again, Timothy is in the process of updating the website, so all titles may not appear. If you have any questions, email me at bryonyseries@gmail.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.


Working through the bucket list
Former Joliet-area senior enjoys life on the adventurous side


Indra Krause shrugged off the idea her adventurous activities are unusual for a senior.

“I like to keep busy,” she said.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/09/15/47d2b47d79de4d909ffd211e1567803e/index.xml


An Extraordinary Life: Changing the face of disability
Former Joliet man showed the world how one should live

Alan Larson often said, “My mother didn’t not know how to raise a kid with disabilities. So she just raised a kid.”

He also said, "When your outside is not perfect, you learn to appreciate the insides of people – and yourself – a lot more.”

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/09/15/d89fbe3c4a564e2dbe76123af62b7399/index.xml


Joliet church wants a recovery home
Harmony Community Church is taking steps to make the vision a reality 


“Churches, historically, have been there for their community members,” Kathleen Burke, the director of Substance Use Initiatives with Will County Executive Larry Walsh’s Office, said. “If you think about the Salvation Army or Good Will or Catholic Charities, those are all organizations that were started through churches.”

“So it’s not unusual at all for a congregation to decide to do this.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/09/03/ea263c7266834354adebd8ab2e252cd3/index.xml


To foster recovery and save lives
Joliet church to host Alcohol and Drug Awareness Day on Sept. 28


“The system of care with behavioral health is broken,”  Kathleen Burke, the director of Substance Use Initiatives with Will County Executive Larry Walsh’s Office, said.. “And my passion is about helping to put it together in a way that serves the people who need it most.”

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/09/03/4177dcec77ae4355afa17c0d77d7921b/index.xml


In honor of cheeseburgers, simple and gourmet 


When I was a child, American cheese slices topped most of the cheeseburgers I ate. Although I feel Cheddar is "tops," other people like Swiss and even goat cheese on their burgers.


So in honor of the day plus one, here's a few facts about cheeseburgers, along with tips for making good ones at home.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/09/17/in-honor-of-cheeseburgers-simple-and-gourmet/aiwwfr8/


Haunted House - or not? You decide on Sept. 25 in Joliet

Alas, the event has passed, but the presenter has a book coming out detailing her experiences. Check out the story for more information.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/09/13/haunted-house-or-not-you-decide-on-sept-25-in-joliet/ahir6ft/


Downers Grove Library Skypes descendant of 'Dracula' author 

At the end of the presentation, Stoker had a surprise for those in attendance.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/09/19/downers-grove-library-skypes-descendant-of-dracula-author/a9hwk32/


LocalLit book spotlight: 'If Not Now, When?'
Joliet artist Tita Recometa-Brady publishes first book


As she wrote in the book's introduction, "Each letter of the alphabet inspired new drawings, new designs." The result is "the most encouraging words in the English-American language from A to Z," she wrote.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/09/19/a8118185920b4a5e99426aabd6b2a900/index.xml


An Extraordinary Life This couple lived by their priorities
Bill and Shirley Avery were devoted to their faith, family and Plainfield 

Bill and Shirley Avery took their Catholic faith so seriously, they had a Lourdes grotto built at the cemetery of their church, St. Mary Immaculate Parish in Plainfield in 2012.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/09/16/an-extraordinary-lifethis-couple-lived-by-their-priorities/azgw7p3/


'Recovery is based in God'
Joliet man shares the way in – and the way out – of addiction

“God is the foundation for me to remain honest,” Ralph Carey said. “And honesty for me is the foundation of change.”

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/09/03/recovery-is-based-in-god/ah4a6ln/


'I brought the alcohol; I brought the drugs'
Joliet man discusses his life before recovery

“I have holes in my body from injection sites,” Joe Carey said. “I just prayed to die. I didn’t want to do this anymore.”

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/09/17/i-brought-the-alcohol-i-brought-the-drugs/apqf1eo/


'A walking miracle' 
As Joliet father and son recover together, they repair their relationship 

And now every night when I’m going to bed or he’s going to better, we say we love each other,” Ralph Careysaid. “I say, ‘Good night, Joe. I love you.’ And he says, ‘Good night, Dad. I love you, too.’”

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/09/16/a-walking-miracle/alz7jff/


Cork Wine Bar in Joliet adds scary fun to special drinks

With names like "Melted Witch" and "Liquefied Ghost," how can one go wrong?

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/09/25/ca49ebb65e7d4e3f9f9fa0324498f2a9/index.xml?page=1


Extolling the health benefits of drinking coffee
International Coffee Day 2019 in United States, including Joliet, is Sept. 29

What are those benefits? Read on!

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/09/25/extolling-the-health-benefits-of-drinking-coffee/agiiozq/


LocalLit book spotlight: 'Southern Shorts' by Sue Mydliak of Joliet

"Southern Shorts" by Sue Mydliak of Joliet is a book of humorous short stories about Charlese and her friends, who live in the fictional town of Dry Prong, Louisiana.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/09/26/locallit-book-spotlight-southern-shorts-by-sue-mydliak-of-joliet/ae9dvnk/



Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." 



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