Friday, March 14, 2025

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, March 1 through March 14

Good morning!

I have twenty-four feature stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post, since I was unable to post a story-round-up last week (I was in the ER).

And if that's not enough to read, more stories going live this weekend, especially since I am working through the weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

Before the stories I also 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

Calkins Day 2025 took place at The Book Market in Crest Hill and it was a wonderful celebration of laughter, imagination, generosity, and the release of "Recovering Ruthless," the third book in the BryonySeries Ruthless series by Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara.

The book display will remain up at The Book Market through St. Patrick's Day. And we now have some Irish-themed ribbit specials, that you can purchase at a discounted price with every book purchase.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur.") is stalled until Timothy finished his master's degree, which he did. So now we just have to stop having family emergencies (three more this week - our life is like a novel!).

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 last year, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects. But I'm hoping to finish the book in 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."

Bertrand the Mouse: I have tons of Bertrand photos and books in progress. The goal is to release at least two new ones this year.

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.

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

Coal City family’s home ‘looks like an ICU;’ help needed to get accessible van

Pens family has two with heredity spastic paraplegia

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/14/coal-city-familys-home-looks-like-an-icu-in-our-living-room-as-they-desperately-need-accessible-van/

Joliet City Center Partnership ready for annual Shamrock Stroll on Friday

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/local/2025/03/13/joliet-city-center-partnership-to-host-annual-shamrock-stroll-on-friday/

Walt’s Ice Cream Joliet opens to flurries, lines of customers

Winter weather didn’t deter loyal fans

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/03/walts-ice-cream-joliet-opens-to-flurries-lines-of-customers/

 ‘She has purses, she has outfits’ at Candy Kouture boutique in Joliet

Owner Sandra Moore also teaches sewing, caters and serves the homeless

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/10/candy-kouture-in-joliet-offers-more-than-fashionable-clothing/

Trinity Services opens Joliet community health center

Long-range goal is to become a certified community health center

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/09/trinity-services-opens-joliet-community-health-center/

Fish fries in Will County during Lent

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/will-county/2025/03/13/where-to-catch-a-fish-fry-in-will-county-during-lent

Plainfield District 202, teachers union agree on new contract

Union President Steve Jepsen: ‘The contract was a win for both sides’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/12/plainfield-district-202-teachers-union-agree-on-new-

Will County-based K9s for Veterans to hold gala Sunday in Joliet

Tickets available now

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/12/will-county-based-k9s-for-veterans-to-hold-gala-sunday-in-joliet/

Will County offers ‘Mutt Madness’ pet adoption special throughout March

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/11/will-county-offers-mutt-madness-adoption-special/

New BookBar in Mokena offers food, drink and special events

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/07/new-bookbar-in-mokena-offers-food-drink-and-special-events/

New Lenox Culver’s celebrates grand reopening

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/will-county/2025/03/06/new-lenox-culvers-celebrates-grand-reopening/

Senior Services of Will County to sell Joliet building

Services will continue in Joliet

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/04/senior-services-of-will-county-to-sell-joliet-building/

Easterseals Joliet to hold 30th annual fundraiser Saturday

Local author and special education teacher to host

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/07/easterseals-joliet-to-hold-30th-annual-fundraiser-saturday/

Joliet museum exhibit showcases manufacturers of the past

The museum also will sell exhibit-related merchandise

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/02/28/joliet-museum-exhibit-showcases-local-manufacturers-history/

Where to catch a fish fry in Will County during Lent

Some also offer chicken meals

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/05/will-county-fish-fries-to-try-this-lent/

Plainfield District 202 high school students to get 8th class period

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/02/27/plainfield-district-202-high-schoolers-to-get-8th-class-period/

Rustic Knead opens Frankfort location

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/will-county/2025/03/02/rustic-knead-opens-frankfort-location/

Joliet Zonta to host women’s health panel

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/03/joliet-zonta-to-host-womens-health-panel/

Joliet resident dies in crash Sunday morning

Brother remembers man ‘that made everyone laugh’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/02/joliet-man-dies-in-crash-sunday-morning/

Joliet home hit by gunfire early Saturday

No injuries reported

 https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/02/joliet-home-hit-by-gunfire-early-saturday/

Will County Pets of the Week: March 10, 2025

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/10/will-county-pets-of-the-week-march-10-2025/

Will County Pets of the Week: March 3, 2025

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/03/02/will-county-pets-of-the-week-march-3-2025/

5 Things to Do in Will County: ‘The Secret Garden’ spring musical

https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2025/03/12/5-things-to-do-in-will-county-the-secret-garden-spring-musical/

5 Things to Do in Will County: ‘Calendar Girls’ embodies friendship, empowerment

https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2025/03/05/5-things-to-do-in-will-county-calendar-girls-embodies-friendship-empowerment/

 

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

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