Friday, December 13, 2024

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Nov. 30 to Dec. 13

Good morning!

I have twenty-two stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post.

Why so many? Because I paused "story roundup" last Friday to celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas on this blog instead.

And I also have five stories that were part of The Herald-News' second "Thank You, Veterans" edition, also at the bottom of this post, the last week I will share those. So now is this time to read them - or bookmark them for a later date.

And more stories will go live this weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

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

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

And have a great Friday!

Event Updates

The BryonySeries Christmas Display is now up at The Book Market in Crest Hill. Along with eleven curated BryonySeries books for you to browse and buy, the display features Ribbit-Ribbits from Cindy and free purple music roses with select purchases while supplies last.

And ByronySeries is hosting one last event this year. I will be hanging out at The Book Market in Crest Hill from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 17.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy, and the book is now live on Amazon. Copies are also available at The Book Market.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy and Daniel are super busy with school on top of work (and plenty of work-related traveling). But Sue Midlock is already hard at work with the cover for the next book that involves a toymaker: "Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur."). Timothy and I have tentatively agreed to a "Cornell" breakfast when he's off school and work during the holidays. Here's hoping! (we are looooong over due).

I also outlined a "bonus" book that is intended for distribution at Bicentennial's "Ye Olde Mayfest" event in 2025. Here is a recap of the 2024 event.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and the first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world in April, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects. But I'll return to this book in early 2025.

Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for "Lycanthropic Summer."

Rebekah is also slowly (very, very slowly) updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.

And finally...

I am working on the hard edits for Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara's third book in his Ruthless trilogy: "Recovering Ruthless."

Ed's first book is "Ruthless," his second is "The Fifth," and he is also the author of "Denise Unland's Irish Genealogy."

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

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 pageWe'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 haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeriesyoutube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.

Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.

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

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

Be a Herald Angel: Help Will County United Way meet high community need

Sarah Oprzedek, United Way of Will County: ‘One hundred percent of those dollars go right back into the community’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/11/19/be-a-herald-angel-help-will-county-united-way-meet-high-community-need/

Will Country Trail Riders will ring bells for Salvation Army this weekend

Free photos with local horses

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/06/will-country-trail-riders-will-ring-bells-for-salvation-army/

Lockport H.S. to host 10th annual Veterans Night on Friday

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/06/lockport-hs-to-host-10th-annual-veterans-night-on-friday/

Cookie Store in Plainfield goes for out-of-this-world flavor

Space-themed bakery selling 500 to 1,000 cookies a day

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/05/cookie-store-in-plainfield-goes-for-out-of-this-world-flavor/

X-Golf Shorewood golf simulator and sports bar now open

Jeff Bass, owner: ‘And we have gift cards for the holiday season’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/07/x-golf-shorewood-golf-simulator-and-sports-bar-now-open/

Earn rewards for supporting downtown Joliet businesses

The Winter Rewards Program has 3 tiers of rewards

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/11/earn-rewards-for-supporting-downtown-joliet-businesses/

Troy Township offering residents mental health care services

Thriveworks provides in-person and online therapy and psychiatry services

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/11/29/troy-township-offering-residents-mental-health-care-services/

How to help Will County people, pets in need this holiday season

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/2024/11/27/help-will-county-people-pets-in-need-this-holiday-season/

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie office closing until January

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/07/midewin-national-tallgrass-prairie-office-closing-until-january/

Silver Cross New Lenox auxiliary donates $100,000-plus in support of hospital

The Advisory Board had made a 2-year pledge to support the Homer Glen Emergency Department expansion

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/11/silver-cross-new-lenox-auxiliary-donates-100000-plus-in-support-of-hospital/

Crest Hill church will celebrate Lucia Fest

Lucia Fest will include fellowship, coffee and Swedish pastries

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/11/crest-hill-church-will-celebrate-lucia-fest/

Joliet American Legion Band to host Christmas concert Sunday

The ‘Sounds of Christmas’ concert began in 1982 to support the community

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/06/joliet-american-legion-band-to-host-christmas-concert-sunday/

Joliet church to host ‘Behold Your King’ Christmas concert

The concert is free and open to the public

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/04/joliet-church-to-host-behold-your-king-christmas-concert/

Integrity Fire Equipment in Joliet gets Community First Accelerate Grant

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/11/30/integrity-fire-equipment-in-joliet-gets-community-first-accelerate-grant

Diamond and jewelry store opens in Shorewood

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/08/diamond-and-jewelry-store-opens-in-shorewood/

Lockport real estate company donates to Honor Flight Chicago

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/08/lockport-real-estate-company-donates-to-honor-flight-chicago/

Scooter’s Coffee opens New Lenox location

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/will-county/2024/12/05/scooters-coffee-opens-new-lenox-location/

Smoothie King opens Crest Hill location

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/11/29/smoothie-king-opens-crest-hill-location/

Will County Pets of the Week: Dec. 9, 2024

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/09/will-county-pets-of-the-week-dec-9-2024/

Will County Pets of the Week: Dec. 2, 2024

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/02/will-county-pets-of-the-week-dec-2-2024/

5 Things to Do in Will County: A Merry MAR-y Christmas 2024

https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2024/12/12/5-things-to-do-in-will-county-a-merry-mar-y-christmas-2024/

5 Things to Do in Will County: 48th Festival of Gnomes at Bicentennial Park Joliet

https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2024/12/05/5-things-to-do-in-will-county-48th-festival-of-gnomes-at-bicentennial-park-joliet/

THANK YOU, VETERANS

 Michael Collins of Plainfield proud of service to country, community

Collins said he always tried to ‘make the right decisions’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2024/11/09/michael-collins-of-plainfield-proud-of-service-to-country-community/

Service is paramount to New Lenox physician and veteran

Dr. Joseph Hindo, Silver Cross: ‘Everyone should try to be of service to others.’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2024/11/09/service-is-paramount-to-new-lenox-internist-and-veteran/

Joliet veteran ‘can’t do enough for veterans’

Dan Miller can’t imagine not serving in some way

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2024/11/09/joliet-veteran-cant-do-enough-for-veterans/

Cancer leads Joliet Army veteran to service twice over

Skip Hoechbauer: ‘I love helping veterans and making them feel they’re not forgotten’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2024/11/09/cancer-leads-joliet-army-veteran-to-service-twice-over/

New Lenox veteran gives back through craftsmanship

Regina Lattuca, vice president of K9s for Veterans: ‘He really wants to help his fellow veterans.’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/veterans/2024/11/09/new-lenox-veteran-gives-back-through-craftsmanship/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

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