Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Sept 29 through Oct. 4

Busy, busy Friday today, so I'll just leave you with three good thoughts and great stories.

1) “Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you.” —Walt Whitman

2) “The world is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.” —Bertrand Russell

3) “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” —Maya Angelou

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.

Looking backward and forward over four decades

Providence High School Class of '79 celebrates 40th reunion this weekend; where has the time gone?

People attend reunions for many reasons and, I think, some of those reasons have changed over time.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/09/29/looking-backward-and-forward-over-four-decades/aokgmiu/


An Extraordinary Life: Looking back on extraordinary lives lived

I've been writing the "Extraordinary Life" feature for almost two decades and the stories never fail to inspire me.

Here's a look back at excerpts of some of the extraordinary people featured in The Herald-News.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/09/24/6cb7e2aa725d427095cf9bec31855190/index.xml?page=1


VIDEO: Jitters in Joliet celebrates 15 years

Jitters coffeehouse in downtown Joliet is celebrating its anniversary this week with specials for the community. Amber Duffy, daughter of Gina Duffy, Jitters' owner, shares the what to expect.

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/8bef90d6-83c0-4ecb-94d1-c101224c7c8b.html

Coffeehouse in Joliet celebrates 15 happy years

'Our goal is to be accepted and loved buy our community'

Owner Gina Duffy said, "We really care about making you happy."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/10/01/b89440f212d749f3ae506facf908e54c/index.xml

Haunts, trunk-n-treat, contests and more Plenty of harvest and Halloween-themed events in the Joliet-area 

October means different themes to different people.

For kids, it's a time to dress up and collect treats. Families enjoy pumpkin farms and harvest-type events. Some folks prefer haunted houses and other sites, the scarier the better.

The Joliet area is offering plenty of events to match all preferences. Some of them are listed here.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/09/26/haunts-trunk-n-treat-contests-and-more/a7v0nyx/


Joliet native believes in her voice

Dare to be audacious, to say whatever everyone else is not saying. This is why we are artists. It is our responsibility to speak on the things other people are maybe afraid to say, and we can do it with such poise and grace that people actually listen. Believe in your voice. It is the most powerful tool you have.”

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/10/01/ad248560af554c83aac377f6d42fcc58/index.xml


LocalLit spotlight: Alyssa Gomez
Joliet student recently won the DAR Good Citizen essay contest 

Gomez said:  "My essay delves into how American society has taught us to divide ourselves and one another and how we must find the humanity in each other again through the celebration of diversity."

Read the essay Tuesday in the free LocalLit newsletter. Click on the link for deails.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/09/30/locallit-spotlight-alyssa-gomez/ab9tbld/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."