Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, March 25 to March 31

Good morning!

Today I have twelve features and news stories to share with you today with more to be posted over the weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

I've also been working on stories for a new edition The Herald-News will begin in March and a new "Thank You, Teachers" edition in May.

For people in the general Will County area:  WriteOn Joliet will host its first radio-style reading on April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet. 

And now we are officially on Bicentennial Park's calendar, which you can see here. And I just saw a promotional video of the show last night, which I hope to share soon (once I figure out how to upload a good quality to this blog).

Fiction projects are coming along very slowly, but I'm hoping to spend some time on this weekend. I wound up in the ER on Saturday and spent Sunday very slowly formatting scripts for the play, since they had to be at the printer on Monday.

Tomorrow four of us will be assembling scripts into binders. But after that, I'm hoping to spend most of the weekend immersed in the BryonySeries.

I'm simultaneously working on five books and just released a new Bertrand the Mouse book in time for Easter, which you can buy now on Amazon. 

So far, I've completed rough drafts for the prologue and first sixteen chapters of the final book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy: House on Top of the Hill and hope to get another chapter drafted this weekend.

I am in the process of fleshing out the next book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer subseries: Cornell Dyer and the Hounds of Basketville and made some progress on that story on Monday. Timothy and I drafted it months ago, and I currently have five solid chapters. 

Sue Midlock has already sent all the interior art and a rough draft of the cover. As always, the art is amazing and perfect for the series.

I have also completed three chapters for the fourth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries series.

You can find other titles in the series here. Timothy has not yet added our latest titles to the BryonySeries bookstore. But all titles are also on Amazon. 

I'm also working on a guide book to the series called: Welcome to Munsonville: the People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries.

And I'm also working on a novella. I have written and edited a fourth of it and have about another third of it loosely written. But that's all I'm sharing about it for now.

Rebekah is also slowly updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts, so watch for those.

Now back to the stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!

But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.

Finally, if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.

And have a great Friday!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.

Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.

Check out the recipe here.

WRITERS

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.

I also suggest this book: Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers. It's exactly as it says. Each page some with one suggestion for revision. The rest of the page is blank, so you can add your own notes. All proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet.

If you need editing or help with self-publishing, check out dmbaranunland.com.

ARTISTS

If you need an artist for a project, I offer these recommendations.

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for The Munsonville Times by emailing us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. The newsletter still isn't official yet, so we don't have an actual link on the website - but we are working on it! 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Daily updates: I do post the briefs 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 on Twitter at @BryonySeries and assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.

And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

BRYONYSERIES BOOKS

For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.

BRYONYSERIES EVENTS

A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events.

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.

FEATURES

Home Cut Donuts in Joliet is a 57-year family tradition: Jim Ruhaak: ‘I’m very protective of the business.’

Jim Healy to portray Louis Jolliet in 1-man play at Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet: Performances are April 15 and April 16 

Joliet Catholic Academy’s Key Club recognized for community service: Zach Pekol: ‘It showed us our hard work can pay off long afterward’

4 District 86 Joliet school board candidates give wide range of reasons for running: Election Day is April 4

4 District 204 Joliet board candidates want district’s students to succeed: Election Day is April 4

2 Plainfield D. 202 school board candidates share reasons for running for office. Election Day is April 4.

Lockport’s Gallery Seven calling for entries for 13th Open Lens exhibit: Entry deadline is April 30. 

Troy Township to hold annual meeting on April 11

Plainfield hosting DEA take-back event on April 22: Needles and illicit illegal substances will not be accepted at this event

Tire and auto repair shop with location in New Lenox receives award for customer satisfaction: Scott’s U-Save & Tire Repair currently has locations in New Lenox, Steger and Schererville, Indiana

Pets of the Week: March 27, 2023: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

5 Things to do in Will County: Celebrate Earth Month with exhibit of fiber art pieces in Bolingbrook: Plus spring musical, spring resale shopping, comedy fundraiser and artist showcase

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Cean Magosky

Eight members of WriteOn Joliet will present “An Evening With WriteOn Joliet: Readings to Entertain and Inspire You” on April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Admission is $5.

One of the author/performers is Cean Magosky. 

You might recognize the Magosky name. Cean's family had owned the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life and Joliet History and generously let us film the Bryony book trailer and the music video to the BryonySeries theme song (also named "Bryony) in the museum in April 2012.

Ceran's family also let us take photos of their wonderful museum and help promote it to the community. Some of us shot photos in the doll room, our filmmakers shared some stills, and Sarah shared her impressions (and a few photos) in this post.

The Magoskys lent us clothes for shooting the videos and for our VampFest fundraiser and opened up the museum more than once for BryonySeries photo shoots, including this one for The Morris Herald News. 

Now Cean is fairly new to WriteOn Joliet, but he's been writing for quite a while as a member of the Downers Grove Writers Workshop. First exploring poetry, he switched to mostly short story and historical fiction.

As surgical nurse, Cean has presented on the regional and national level and was a member of Northwestern Medicine Nursing Ambassadors for the Fine Arts and contributed to their project Listening to Life.

His children’s story Oatmeal Raisin Bear was featured in LocalLit, a newsletter I conceived and wrote for The Herald-News for several years.

Cean also writes and publishes a blog on Joliet history and architecture. He is also republishing the books his brother and father wrote on Joliet history and Shorewood history.

The other authors and performers on April 22 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Maureen Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, and Duanne Walton.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks will be available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

For more information, visit historicimpressions.blogspot.com and writeonjoliet.com.

Sue's Diner: Brownie Bites with Mint Cream

This week's recipe for Brownie Bites with Mint Cream is one that Rebekah developed years ago for St. Patrick's Day - and surprised us by making it again this year.

No need to wait until St. Patrick's Day to try the recipe, though. It's delicious any day of the year.

This recipe is not featured in any of the BryonySeries cookbooks, including Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties and features all the recipes referenced in the novel Bryony. 

However, you can try the recipe for Brownie Bites with Mint Cream on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

But try it this week. It will be gone next week. A new recipe will take it's place. 

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Diana Estell

Eight members of WriteOn Joliet will present “An Evening With WriteOn Joliet: Readings to Entertain and Inspire You” on April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Admission is $5.

One of the author/performers is Diana Estell.

The joy and pains of Diana's personal story, as well as her educational background, have shaped her writing style.

Diana has a Bachelor of Arts from Northern Illinois University and it was there, while writing for her classes in anthropology, that her love of writing re-awoke.

Growing up, Diana had a book in her hand constantly, books like Little House on the Prairie, Little Women, and countless others.  

The love of words is a deep passion of hers. She enjoyed reading the dictionary, taking words and changing them into new words.  

Words were her imaginary playground, a veritable lush garden, springing out blossoms of creativity.

When Star Wars blasted into orbit, so too did Diana’s love for all things fantasy. Dungeon and Dragons and Star Trek played a significant role in her private imaginary world. 

Now the worded playground, with its abundant flora, sprung forth thorns of sharpened steel. Planets and creatures emerged with ease. This passion for fantasy has never left but has grown stronger.

Diana has traveled extensively, most recently to Paris, France. Her love for history, martial arts and weapons is woven into her writings. She has a black belt in a martial arts blend of Taekwondo and Jujitsu. 

She had anticipated she would be going on archeological digs after graduating, but childhood dreams never die.  No matter how many layers of her past accumulated, nothing could stop a story from emerging in her mind.

Diana's first novel, Abyss of the Fallen, was released by Brimstone Fiction in 2020.

Email Diana at inklings67@aol.com.

The other authors and performers on April 22 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Maureen Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Cean Magosky and Duanne Walton.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

For more information, visit dianaestell.com and writeonjoliet.com.

 

A Quick Pause for Thankfulness

Nearly every plan I had for this weekend went to the wayside when I wound up in the ER Saturday and had an unexpected minor procedure.

But a few blessings arose from that.

At the hospital, I had the same team (nurse and doctor) when I was there eighteen months ago for a similar situation. I was impressed with their care and attentiveness and sent a note to the hospital expressing my gratitude.

On Saturday night, I had the opportunity to tell them in person and let them know I had sent that note. 

I wanted something happy to read, so I brought this book with me to re-read, since I the second is out and I wanted to refresh my memory. I'm more than halfway through and hope to finish the book this week.

The author is a friend, a member of WriteOn Joliet, and handles all the art for the BryonySeries subseries, The Adventures of Cornell Dyer.

On Sunday, I took two naps (to the delight of my calico Faith) and finished one project that needed completion over the weekend (although I will need to check over my work today to make sure it's correct).

I wrote absolutely zero fiction (super disappointed about that since the next opportunity is a week away) and I wanted to get a jump on a big project at work on Sunday (oh, if I could clone me!).

But I live with/near three adult children who made sure I had everything I needed (and checked up on me when I seemed too quiet for too long), and I'm feeling super tired (but not unwell) today.

Maybe I'm just at that age, although my incident wasn't age-related. A friend's husband had a heart attack on Wednesday and another friend had a stroke on Saturday, mere hours before I headed to the ER.

What is the point of all this?

All things considered, it wasn't a bad weekend.

I got to read, nap, and be on the receiving end of some good care.

I don't know what today brings or what road I will travel.

But when the blessings show up, I hope to recognize and appreciate them.

HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE (Piano Cover + Sheet Music) - BEE GEES

A Very Special Calkins Day Birthday Gift

WriteOn Joliet member Lindsay Lake (left) was one of the local authors who gifted Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, with a copy of one his books on Calkins Day, Feb. 13.

You see, Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, really wanted to give away some books away on his birthday. And  ever since he's published his first book, he's been slowly building up his personal collection of books by local and independent authors (and giving those books as gifts, too).

So why not extend the offer to other authors, too? Bring a book to give and take one of ours home. 

To our surprise and delight, some authors took a chance on this out-of-the-box idea and came out with their books.

Now Ed Calkins is already a super fan of Lindsay Lake. He adored her book Flower Power and bought five copies to give as gifts during the Christmas holidays.

Unfortunately, Flower Power is the only book Lindsay has published in print. Her other books are only available on Kindle.

But she did not come empty-handed to the Calkins Day celebration.

Instead, she gifted Ed with the actual manuscript for one of her books, complete with editorial notes.

Ed was really honored to receive such a special gift, and he is currently reading one of the titles he received from a local author on Calkins Day.

Check out all of Lindsay Lake's titles on her Amazon author page.

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, March 18 to March 24

Good morning!

Today I have twelve features and news stories to share with you today with more to be posted over the weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

I've also been working on stories for a new edition The Herald-News will begin in March and a new "Thank You, Teachers" edition in May.

For people in the general Will County area:  WriteOn Joliet will host its first radio-style reading on April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet. 

And now we are officially on Bicentennial Park's calendar, which you can see here.

Timothy took some photos and videos of last night's practice as we have a kind person who offered to make a promotional video for us. I'll share some of the photos as soon as Timothy shares them with me. 

And, of course, I'll share the video when it's done. 

Fiction projects are coming along very slowly, but they are coming along. I'm simultaneously working on five books and just released a new Bertrand the Mouse book in time for Easter, which you can buy now on Amazon. 

So here's the latest update on the other books. I'm hoping to peck away at them this weekend. But I do have lots of scripts to format for WriteOn. So we shall see.

Nevertheless, I now have completed rough drafts for the prologue and first sixteen chapters of the final book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy: House on Top of the Hill and hope to get another done this weekend.

I am in the process of fleshing out the next book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer subseries: Cornell Dyer and the Hounds of Basketville and made some progress on that story on Monday. Timothy and I drafted it months ago, and I currently have five solid chapters. Sue Midlock sent all the interior art and it is stunning! Sue is currently working on the cover.

I have also completed three chapters for the fourth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries series.

You can find other titles in the series here. Timothy has not yet added our latest titles to the BryonySeries bookstore. But all titles are also on Amazon. 

I'm also working on a guide book to the series called: Welcome to Munsonville: the People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries.

And I'm also working on a novella. I have written and edited a fourth of it and have about another third of it loosely written. But that's all I'm sharing about it for now.

Rebekah is also slowly updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts, so watch for those.

Now back to the stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!

But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.

Finally, if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.

And have a great Friday!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.

Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.

Check out the recipe here.

WRITERS

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.

I also suggest this book: Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers. It's exactly as it says. Each page some with one suggestion for revision. The rest of the page is blank, so you can add your own notes. All proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet.

If you need editing or help with self-publishing, check out dmbaranunland.com.

ARTISTS

If you need an artist for a project, I offer these recommendations.

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for The Munsonville Times by emailing us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. The newsletter still isn't official yet, so we don't have an actual link on the website - but we are working on it! 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Daily updates: I do post the briefs 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 on Twitter at @BryonySeries and assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.

And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

BRYONYSERIES BOOKS

For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.

BRYONYSERIES EVENTS

A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events.

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.

FEATURES

Baran-Unland: Ukulele Moonshiners release Irish-themed song in time for St. Patrick’s Day: A song for anyone who has ‘a little bit of Irish in your heart somewhere.’

Hunt for Easter eggs, meet the Easter Bunny in Will, Grundy counties: Events for kids, adults and dogs

New Lenox Lions Club to host 13th annual fashion show on Sunday: Tickets are just $25.

Joliet Junior College student carves career path in pastry and ice: Nalia Warmack: ‘Honestly, I think I’ve always been a hands-on person’

Joliet VA to host food drive March 30: Showing proof of income, military service or residency is not required.

Nursing college at Joliet’s University of St. Francis receives $100,000 grant: USF plans to purchase equipment and increase simulation hours 

Rotary Club of Joliet seeking local nonprofits in need of funds for capital projects: All projects must be sponsored by a member of the Rotary Club of Joliet

2 transported to St. Joe’s in Joliet after crash on I-80

2 dead after crash in Will County

No one injured in Joliet house fire Friday morning: The Joliet Fire Department determined the fire was accidental

Manhattan teen who went missing in February was found safe: Will County Sheriff’s Investigations Unit says Lana Roemer, 16, was located

Pets of the Week: March 20, 2023: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

5 Things to do in Will County: ‘Lovin’ the Blues at the Museum!’: Enjoy art in its all forms and shop from local vendors.

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Steve Cordin

Eight members of WriteOn Joliet will present “An Evening With WriteOn Joliet: Readings to Entertain and Inspire You” on April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Admission is $5.

One of the author/performers is Steve Cordin.

Steve usually lurks in the outskirts of Joliet, Illinois to pay the bills and bar tabs. He has worked in banking as a repo man, foreclosure guru, and fraud investigator.  

He writes about fraud and crime as well as horror fiction. Cordin is currently working on a collection of crime fiction short stories. 

Steve was a contributor to Jacked: A Crime Fiction Anthology. The book is available on Amazon.

Contact Steve Cordin at sjcordin@gmail.com.

The other authors and performers on April 22 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Maureen Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky and Duanne Walton.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com.

Sue's Diner: Chocolate Mouse Truffles

This week's recipe for chocolate mouse truffles is a chocolatey favorite of Bertrand the Mouse and an easy way for even the youngest child to help prepare a fun treat.

This recipe is featured in Squeak: Twelve Mouse-Themed Recipes by Rebekah Baran, which Bertrand helped develop to encourage good culinary habits in children.

You can try the recipe for chocolate mouse truffles on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place.

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Holly Coop

Eight members of WriteOn Joliet will present “An Evening With WriteOn Joliet: Readings to Entertain and Inspire You” on April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Admission is $5.

One of the author/performers is Holly Coop, for whom touching hearts with words has become a life purpose.

Holly writes and publishes inspirational poetry, motivational quotes, and spiritual insights. As the author of five poetry collections, Holly hopes her words will stir hearts and inspire others in their purpose.

She also enjoys sketching, creating photo notecards and art, and featuring her poetry. at hollycoopcards.Etsy.com.

At hollycoopauthor.wordpress.com, Holly shares reflections, nuggets of wisdom, and anything that comes to mind.

She also blogs for the Romeoville Art Society at romeovilleartsociety.org/blog.

Holly resides in Joliet, Illinois with her husband, children, and furry friends.

Her poetry collections are available for purchase at: HollyCoopBooks.com, hollycoop.etsy.com, and The Book Market Sales and Trading Center in Crest Hill.

Holly's books are also available in the local author collection at the Joliet Public Library.

The other authors and performers on April 22 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Maureen Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky and Duanne Walton.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com.

Cool Wolf Puppet

I wound up at Cracker Barrel in Joliet twice right before the holidays, once with Daniel to buy St. Nicholas gifts, and then a few days later with Rebekah to celebrate our mutual feasts.

Near the checkout counter was this cool wolf puppet without a price tag. I "googled" it, decided the list price that I found was out of my price range, and walked away.

The puppet was still sitting on the shelf when I returned with Rebekah. She encouraged me to check on the actual price in the store. So I did. $1.99. Yes, I bought it.

Now about that little pill in front of the wolf. That's one of Faith's steroids. 

She gets one each night for life. I found this one on the floor and set it there to show Rebekah. It's not the first time Faith's spit it out unbeknownst to us. 

I'm surprised she's never had an adrenal crisis. Just saying.

The wolf puppet lives on a small bookcase near my computer (within arm's reach), next to a collection of very cool items, all of them (if you can believe it), were gifts.

The lamp at the far left was one of four that Timothy bought for me room.

Every item on the lamp's shelves were gifts.

The blue cardboard thing with drawers was a gift from Ron more than twenty years ago, which he rescued on its path to the garbage when he worked in maintenance at a school.

The handmade wooden box on top of the shelf on top was a gift from a local artist, more than twenty-five years ago. I keep business cards in it.

The little metal box on top of it has a cat pictured on it. I keep business cards in it. It was a gift from Kristina Skaggs. WriteOn Joliet founder, in 2012.

The little incense holder next to the wolf holds tiny incense sticks. For the record, I don't burn anything on this shelf. And I've never used this particular incense holder. But it has a story behind it, so I've kept it.

The typewriter in front of the box holds Qwerty keyboard coasters.

The Christmas box is filled with miniature chocolates. It's now mid-March. You see how fast I eat candy, LOL.

The angel coaster is a gift from Timothy.

The handmade box next to it is a gift from a local artists, more than twenty-five years ago. I keep manuscript clips in it.

The handmade wooden tray next to the box was also a gift, also more than twenty-give years ago. It holds a couple of cool rocks, including one Timothy painted when he was a child, and a set of keys that go to nothing anymore.

Behind the tray is a fake typewriter, a Christmas gift from a friend nearly ten years ago. It holds my voter registration card and a stapler remover, a gift from Ron more than twenty-five years ago.

Next to it is a framed art piece from Rebekah when she was a little girl.

In front of is a very cool candle holder (a gift from Rebekah) and a flameless candle.

The little green bottle next to it are my afternoon/night medicines. So, technically, not a gift (unless you count staying healthy as a "gift of life").

Timothy bought the coffee mug next to it from the Silver Cross gift shop in 2002 when I was in the hospital and shortly before my pheochromocytoma was officially diagnosed. It holds glass wipes and a brush featuring my favorite color of blue (a gift from Rebekah).

Leaning up against the blue cardboard box is the DVD for when John Schlitt, lead member of the Christian rock band Petra (basically, The Beatles of Christian rock), sang karaoke at our house for the members of the youth group Ron and I led. 

Booking John Schlitt was all Ron's idea and I didn't think we could do it. John came out two weeks before my birthday and sang "Happy Birthday" to me, all Ron's idea (and Ron bought a cake). Truly, one of the best gifts Ron ever gave me besides himself.

In greater context the shelf sits directly under my BryonySeries wall in progress. 

These include all five Before The Blood frontispieces  by Christopher Gleason, Munsonville's Main Street by Jennifer Wainwright (which appears on the landing page for the BryonySeries website), the cover to the special edition holiday Visage, and a print of the first cover to the first book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer series, cover art by Sue Midlock.

Timothy framed all the pieces.

And I still have more BryonySeries artwork patiently awaiting their frames, currently sitting in a box.

And I have many more gifts all over my room.

So even when I'm alone, I'm not, really.

John Mayer - St. Patrick's Day (Evan Duffy Arrangement)

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara

Eight members of WriteOn Joliet will present “An Evening With WriteOn Joliet: Readings to Entertain and Inspire You” on April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Admission is $5.

One of the author/performers is Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara.

Ed Calkins is a real, 60-something, proud of his Irish-heritage computer programmer and amateur writer who has also spent his entire life working in newspaper circulation. Years ago, Calkins invented a "ruthless dictator" alter ego, also known as "The Steward of Tara."

With Calkins' permission, BryonySeries author Denise M. Baran-Unland furthered altered him to create a minor character in "Bryony," making Calkins the first Irish vampire of any significance. 

Of course, Calkins claims "Bryony" is really all about him, so he’s held his own book signings, which he is calls, "The Ed Calkins Tour." There must be some truth in his sentiments, because Calkins' plot importance does grow with each novel in the original BryonySeries trilogy.

Calkins is the author of “Ruthless” (his backstory) and “Denise M. Baran-Unland's Irish Genealogy.” He also shares his writings on the BryonySeries blog. Email him at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

The other authors and performers on April 22 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Maureen Blevins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky and Duanne Walton.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

For more information, visit bryonyseries.com and writeonjoliet.com.

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, March 11 to March 17

Good morning!

Today I have just ten features and news stories to share with you today with more to be posted over the weekend, since I am working through the weekend.

So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

I've also been working on stories for a new edition The Herald-News will begin in March and a new "Thank You, Teachers" edition in May.

Also, here is a "save the date" event for people in the general Will County area:  WriteOn Joliet will host its first radio-style reading on April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet. 

And now we are officially on Bicentennial Park's calendar, which you can see here.

We held our annual Calkins Day celebration on Feb. 13 at The Book Market in Crest Hill. If you don't know what Calkins Day is, read this post and then read this post.

This year, we built our celebration around the local authors and independent authors in order to help build up Ed's library of such authors and provide a little exposure for these authors.

Authors were invited to gift Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara with one of their books. In turn, they could take home any one of five books Ed either wrote or appeared in. Readers could talk Ed out of a book.

Over the next few weeks, I'll dedicate separate posts to these authors and give them additional exposure on social media. Here is one such post from three weeks ago, one post from two weeks ago, and one post from last week. 

So do check out these posts - and watch for more posts, too. They may just lead you to your next favorite book.

Fiction projects are coming along very slowly, but they are coming along. I'm also working simultaneously working on five books and just released a new Bertrand the Mouse book in time for Easter and am eagerly awaiting my copies.

However, you can buy it now on Amazon. 

So here's the latest update on the other books:

I now have completed rough drafts for the prologue and first thirteen chapters of the final book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy: House on Top of the Hill and hope to get another done this weekend.

I am in the process of fleshing out the next book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer subseries: Cornell Dyer and the Hounds of Basketville and made some progress on that story on Monday. Timothy and I drafted it months ago, and I currently have five solid chapters. Sue Midlock sent all the interior art and it is stunning! Sue is currently working on the cover.

I have also completed three chapters for the fourth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries series.

You can find other titles in the series here. Timothy has not yet added our latest titles to the BryonySeries bookstore. But all titles are also on Amazon. 

I'm also working on a guide book to the series called: Welcome to Munsonville: the People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries.

And I'm also working on a novella. I have written and edited a fourth of it and have about another third of it loosely written. But that's all I'm sharing about it for now.

Rebekah is also slowly updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts, so watch for those.

Now back to the stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!

But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.

Finally, if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.

And have a great Friday!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.

Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.

Check out the recipe here.

WRITERS

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.

I also suggest this book: Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers. It's exactly as it says. Each page some with one suggestion for revision. The rest of the page is blank, so you can add your own notes. All proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet.

If you need editing or help with self-publishing, check out dmbaranunland.com.

ARTISTS

If you need an artist for a project, I offer these recommendations.

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for The Munsonville Times by emailing us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. The newsletter still isn't official yet, so we don't have an actual link on the website - but we are working on it! 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Daily updates: I do post the briefs 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 on Twitter at @BryonySeries and assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.

And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

BRYONYSERIES BOOKS

For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.

BRYONYSERIES EVENTS

A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events.

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.

FEATURES

Arkas Restaurant group taking ‘Joliet restaurant scene up a level’: Bill Dimitroulas, president, is loyal to Joliet 

Gov. JB Pritzker discusses education plan on Thursday at Joliet Junior College" Gov. JB Pritzker: ‘When I first took office, people were leaving Illinois to get a college education’ 

Reception planned Sunday for Joliet West basketball player Jeremy Fears Jr.: Jeremy Kreiger: ‘It’s unusual to see someone so accomplished at the age of 17’ 

Joliet Junior College professor is now 1 of just 10 certified master pastry chefs in the U.S.: Andy Chlebana earns certification after June brain surgery

Joliet West senior named Gatorade Illinois Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Jeremy Fears Jr. is also McDonald’s All-American Game selection 

New Lenox hospital makes Newsweek’s ‘World’s Best Hospitals 2023′ list: Ruth Colby: ‘It’s all about the people who work here.’ 

Gnomes and leprechauns take Joliet stage in time for St. Patrick’s Day: Patrons must be ages 18 and up 

Support lung care with Silver Cross Foundation fundraiser in Frankfort: Sponsorships are available 

Pets of the Week: March 13, 2023: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption.

5 Things to do in Will County: 5 ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day: Features include food, music, shamrock search and other activities

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Maureen Blevins

Eight members of WriteOn Joliet will present “An Evening With WriteOn Joliet: Readings to Entertain and Inspire You” on April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Admission is $5.

One of the author/performers is Mauverneen Blevins.

Mauverneen (or Maureen as she is generally called) has spent most of her life in the Midwest, although she loves to travel and does so at every opportunity. 

Her interest in photography was sparked at an early age by a beloved uncle, and has developed into a passion over time, earning her a number of photography awards. 

Following in her mother's footsteps, who was also a published writer and author of four books, she began writing and has been published in various magazines and anthologies. 

She recently published "I KNOW That Bird!: Introducing Young Children to some common birds of the backyard," which is available for purchase on Amazon.

Her weekly blog, Positively Tuesday, is an ongoing attempt towards encouraging more positive thinking, one Tuesday at a time. 

She is the mother of three beautiful daughters, and foster mom to her adorable dog, Bailey. 

The other authors and performers on April 22 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky and Duanne Walton.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

For more information, visit mauveonthemove.com, maureenblevins.blogspot.com, and writeonjoliet.com.

Sue's Diner: Guinness Beef Stew

I love Guinness. And one day, I hope to try the non-alcoholic version. Because of medication I take, I can't drink (or eat) anything with alcohol in it anymore.

However, that didn't stop us from developing recipes using Guinness for other people to enjoy. Here is one recipe we've prepared that I'd like to try with non-alcoholic Guinness: Guinness Beef Stew.

This recipe for Guinness Stew not featured in any of the BryonySeries cookbooks, including Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties and features all the recipes referenced in the novel Bryony. 

Try this recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.

But try it this week. It will be gone next week. A new recipe will take it's place. 

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.