Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, June 20 through June 27

 Good morning!

I have just eight news and feature stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post, as well as six Thank You, Teachers stories from our special edition on May 8.

More stories will go live this weekend, especially since I am working this 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!

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries)

Good news, everyone! BryonySeries is officially part of the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theater's Independence Day celebration on July 3.

For the past two years, we provided free children's games and book giveaways as a vendor. This year, we are part of the fabric of the actual event. And we could not be more thrilled.

Details to come on Monday (along with why this event is so important to us).

Also, I hope to get back into The Book Market for a signing before surgery on July 17.

However, please read how WriteOn Joliet authors are supporting reading in Will County.

And if you prefer to help in person, please read Another Option for Helping Us Out.

And consider helping us in our efforts.

What is the BryonySeries?

Please read "Books of the BryonySeries: A Quick Overview"

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. That's all I'm saying for now.

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 (they just keep coming) and carve some time for a Cornell breakfast (it's been three years since our last one, way, way too long). I'm having surgery July 17, so I'm hoping we can make that happen before then, just to get the process moving and give Sue Midlock ideas for art (she illustrates all the Cornell books).

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...and I'm still letting it (overall) slide, I'm afraid. But I'm hoping to finish the book this year, fingers crossed.

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."

Other books: I am not writing a novel this year. But I have an idea for a BryonySeries Christmas anthology that I'd like to release in 2026.

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 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 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/BryonySeries, youtube.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

Single mom’s Crest Hill meal-prep service celebrates 10 years

Angie Aegerter simplifies healthy eating

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/06/23/single-moms-crest-hill-meal-prep-celebrates-10-years/

‘Nashville on the Hill’ returns to Joliet winery

A ‘fast-rising trio of Music City songwriters’ to perform Sunday

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/06/24/nashville-on-the-hill-returns-to-joliet-winery/

Childerguild Gift Shop at Silver Cross Hospital celebrates 75 years

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/06/22/childerguild-gift-shop-at-silver-cross-hospital-celebrates-75-years/

Plainfield center recognized as a certified Parkinson care community

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/06/21/plainfield-center-recognized-as-a-certified-parkinson-care-community/

EZ Wok in Shorewood under new ownership

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/06/26/ez-wok-in-shorewood-under-new-ownership/

Joliet home damaged in fire

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/06/19/joliet-home-damaged-in-fire/

Will County Pets of the Week: June 23, 2025

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/06/23/will-county-pets-of-the-week-june-23-2025/

5 Things to Do in Will County: Plainfield Fest

https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2025/06/25/5-things-to-do-in-will-county-plainfield-fest/

 

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

The FIT Foundation Donated 30 WriteOn Joliet Holiday Anthologies. Here's How You Can Get One

In 2023, Angie Aegerter donated thirty 2022 WriteOn Joliet anthologies to The Timbers of Shorewood's book club.

Angie is the founder of the FIT Foundation in Crest Hill, a meal prep company. And she approached me this summer, asking if I had any additional upcoming donation opportunities.

Well, it just so happens that WriteOn Joliet created its first holiday anthology this fall. So Angie offered to sponsor thirty copies, as a Christmas gift for the community.

The anthology has ninety-three pages of locally written poems, short stories, and essays that are perfect for the holiday season.

WriteOn Joliet Holiday Anthology Contributors: Denise M. Baran-­Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Ed Calkins, Pat Camalliere, Holly Coop, Steven James Cordin, Tom Hernandez, Cean Magosky, Sue Midlock, Colleen H. Robbins, Jennifer Russ, Stephen Saporta, and Duanne Walton.

Here are two ways you can get a free copy (while supplies last) of "Write Where We Are: Holiday Edition: Stories, poems, and essays for the holiday season."

Ten copies will be at the counter of The Book Market in Crest Hill sometime in early December to be given away however the owner Janet Staley decides. Could be just free, could be free with purchase. 

The other twenty copies will go inside the mini bookbags that Jasmine made for my birthday this year. We will distribute these bags from the BryonySeries table at Friday's North Pole Christmas Market in Joliet.

This is the same event where I will be reading Christmas stories and giving away ten free copies of "Bertrand and the Christmas Surprise."

But these swag bags will have a few "extras," too.

Nineteen of those bags will include a copy of the BryonySeries holiday edition of "Visage," which is out of print and not available for purchase.

This holiday edition has a unique cover, slightly different editing, an introduction by moi (the only time I've written one for any of my books), and some fun appendixes (for instance, it's the only place you'll see me dressed as a kangaroo).

The other six bags will include a copy of "Cornell Dyer and the Flu," a parody of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," which is geared towards children age eight (depending on reading level and parental guidance) through adult.

The swag bags will also contain one of more "mystery quotes," which are suitable for slipping into greeting cards, your purse or wallet, or any place someone might find a spark of imagination or inspiration.

But wait! That's not all!

The swag bags will also contain a "sweet treat" in BryonySeries colors, some special offers, and information about upcoming (and local) holiday events.

Now, depending on the book combinations, this BryonySeries swag bag (bag and contents) has a retail value of thirty to thirty-five dollars. And these are FREE to the first twenty-five North Pole Christmas Market attendees that stop at our table.

And don't forget, the BryonySeries table will also have FREE purple music roses with select book purchases, as well as crocheted mice for adoption with select book purchases, all while supplies last.

WriteOn Joliet will also have copies of both its holiday anthology and the 2024 edition of its "regular" anthology for sale at its 8th annual anthology release party on Dec. 5 at the Black Road branch of the Joliet Public Library.

Here are ten reasons why you should attend WriteOn Joliet's 8th Annual Anthology Release Party.

Does hearing the word FREE put you into the holiday spirit? It should - and not just because of "free."

"Free" is possible because of big-hearted people in the community who just want to be a blessing.

The anthologies are free because Angie Aegerter has (TWICE) donated copies for people's reading pleasure. Angie runs a small business, not a large corporation. And if you follow her business on Facebook, you will see the other ways she blesses the community all year round.

The "swag" is free because Jasmine made it herself and then gifted it to me.

The purple music roses are free (with select purchases) because Jan Stack, the youth services clerk at the Joliet Public Library, made them and gifted them to me.

The adoptable crocheted mice (with select purchases) are free because Cindy made the mice. An every one is hoping for loving home this holiday season.

The chef-created heavy appetizers at WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party are free because Timothy buys all the ingredients and makes all the food as his way of elevating the celebratory spirit as we connect local writers with local readers.

The photos with Santa at the release party are free because Santa is loving and giving.

And the rest if free because we at the BryonySeries want you to start the holiday season with a smile.

Many of us (including us) have struggled this past year (past few years for us) and might be coming in to the season feeling not quite so merry and bright.

And every now and again, it's nice to band together and bring a little of joy and generosity to our little portion of the world.

Happy Wednesday!

Editor's note: This post was updated to correct the amount of books going to each location.

Merry and Bright Indeed

On December 14, I received a lovely surprise gift from Angie Aegerter, owner of the Fit Foundation in Crest Hill.

In 2023, Angie purchased 30 copies of  the WriteOn Joliet 2022 anthology and gifted them to The Timbers of Shorewood book club.

I invited Angie to WriteOn's annual holiday gathering at Cemeno's so she could meet some of the writers. She was unable to attend - but popped in to give me a gift bag with this lovely card you see below.

Yes, let that sink in. She bought books from us and then brought me a bag full of gifts. The card itself is so pretty, I've left it propped against my computer monitor these last two weeks, just so I can keep looking at it.

And here's what was in that bag.

But first, the fun bag, just so you can get an idea of her generosity.

The first item was this towel with a pickup truck. I regifted it to Timothy, who has Christmas decor in his house with red pickup truck themes. That's not because I didn't like or wouldn't enjoy it, but because I knew he appreciated it more.

Also, Timothy lives next door. So it's not like I wouldn't see or use the towel.

Next, I received this bag of chocolate. How did she know I love these?

Angie also gave me this Christmas candle with three amazing scents. I am a very sensual person in that I love items that please the different senses. 

Writers sometimes refer to "smell" as the forgotten scent. But good smells can do much to lift spirit and evoke and happy memories. I love the right scented candles and the right incense.

At any rate, I am enjoying this candle.

Here is the same candle from behind, so you can see how pretty it is.

But the very best part of this gift is...

...is the new friend I've made through our love for serving the community through using our respective talents. 

Happy Thursday!