Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, June 30 through July 12

This week, I'd like to draw your attention to two stories.

One is a feature about the founder of a Plainfield animal rescue written by The Herald-News' summer intern Rachel Barks. It's Barks' first feature story, and she did a GREAT job! The rescue also has its annual pet fest and car show Sunday, so please check it out.

The other is a column I wrote two Sundays ago seeking information about Highland Park in Joliet. It's lesser known than Pilcher Park and not much exists in the way of photos, facts, etc. If you any of those, please message me.

Have a great weekend, readers, writers, and BryonySeries fans! :)

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.

Seeking information/photos for Joliet park

When I share my memories about Highland Park – even to longtime Joliet residents – I often receive one of two responses.

The first is "Really? I don't remember that." The second is, "I vaguely remember that."

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/06/30/seeking-informationphotos-for-joliet-park/a1qstno/

An Extraordinary Life Joliet man was known as 'The Protector of St. Mary Nativity'

“Johnny said, ‘I lit the candle so he’s being prayed for,’ ” Pat Bosi said. “ ‘Any time you’re not there, that candle will be lit for the person who has cancer.’ ”

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/06/20/an-extraordinary-life-joliet-man-was-known-as-the-protector-of-st-mary-nativity/ajtxony/

An Extraordinary Life: Joliet couple's passion for culture enriched lives

Patricia Pedersen said her parents had high expectations for the children in terms of school grades and behavior. She recalled the story William liked to tell about a particular restaurant meal when the family was in Europe.

"The table nearby had kids that were misbehaving," Patricia said. "The parents looked over at our table and made an announcement: 'Why can't the kids behave like the Americans?'"

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/07/02/ca605ba4d77a4dfdaf78ae44203725df/index.xml

Joliet cancer survivor has 4 reasons to live
'If you keep praying to God, everything will turn out all right.'

"I'm not sad. I'm a happy woman," Carolyn Tucker said. "I've got a team working with me and they pray with me. What more can I say? I'm thankful for what they've done for me and what they continue to do for me."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/06/21/3a1b2ceb80ff4f5992fbb3f2510ed7b8/index.xml

Celebrate Historic John Lane Days
Lockport farm hosting fundraising to help preserve local history

Sylvia Zielke-Kuffel and Joe Kuffel are in a race against time to preserve a bit of Lockport history for the community.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/07/09/77e6e983624242cfab3a38eb32f74ed3/index.xml


Changing pets' lives one rescue at a time

“I have a love for animals and when I learned about rescue over 10 years ago, it was a no-brainer,” Terri Crotty said. “I wanted to help the animals.”

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/07/11/9fd2ef3489fa4fb099364f69a0d94a40/index.xml


Artworks: Hot Wheels Legends Tour comes to Romeoville 

"It's having your creation, something you built with your own hands, being turned into a Hot Wheels," Ricardo Briceno, brand manager of Hot Wheels said about the tour's contest. "That's such a big honor."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/07/09/9830b26ca3f047349a5280f40e28e5de/index.xml?page=1

Actor Noel G to host comedy show Saturday at Joliet theater

“I did four years in prison. That messed me up a little bit,” Noel Guglielmi said. “When I came out, I realized enough was enough. I was facing 15 years in prison for attempted murder that happened with some gang activities. That was my wake-up call. That’s when I started taking acting more seriously.”

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/07/02/actor-noel-g-to-host-comedy-show-saturday-at-joliet-theater/aot0wdc/

LocalLit spotlight: Cyd Notter of Wilmington

Notter said: My book titled “The ‘Plan A’ Diet: Combining Whole Food, Plant Based Nutrition with the Timeless Wisdom of Scripture” will be released this year (the e-book was released Tuesday, and the paperback will be released Oct. 1). The book is available wherever books are sold, but signed copies are available now on my website along with a special prelaunch offer.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/07/01/locallit-spotlight-cyd-notter-of-wilmington/aj5tpp0/

LocalLit book spotlight: 'Emmet's Storm' by Ann Rubino of Shorewood

A Best STEM Book by a retired teacher. And it takes place in the nineteenth century.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/07/12/84046a6b3b534dd094d13d74227c504d/index.xml 

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, April 30 through May 5

Ever ask yourself, "Where did the week go?"

Me, today.

In a blur of deadlines and great projects, the days passed, and a fiction weekend is upon me.

But first, I must accomplish more deadlines, a long day of interviews (my last is a meeting with a church group at 6:30 p.m. - who really wanted to meet at 7 p.m.). Running on a slightly empty tank. I prayed for the media at a National Day of Prayer event last night at a town about forty minutes away.

Extra coffee for moi today!

And now...

First, the non-bylined work: the health, faith, and arts and entertainment calendars. Three of them can be found at this link:. http://www.theherald-news.com/lifestyle/

Gotta Do It, runs each Sunday and often stays on the home page throughout the week.

Feature briefs for Tuesday (health), Thursday (faith), Friday (Arts and Entertainment), and Sunday (People) are also edited (texted and photos) by the lady of this blog, but only the stories have bylines.

Another option: I do post the briefs and calendars on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61. And of course, I post curated content relating to the BryonySeries at @BryonySeries.

Just an FYI: On free days, holidays, and Sundays I'm not on call, I only post the blog to my "real" Twitter account, as my company insists we do take time off. I'm less reasonable, so unless I'm on a real vacation, I still post to the BryonySeries accounts.

FYI: videos have not been attaching to my Herald-News stories, although they do run for a time on the home page. You may also find them under the "videos" tab.

If you'd like to watch a video, and it's not showing up for you, message me, and I'll manually attach it. No worries for this week, though, although I will have videos for Sunday.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News.

Joliet photographer giving negative image of men an upgrade

Chris Braggs wants to inspire young black men to be their best

It all started because Chris Braggs, 38 and father of two preschoolers, didn’t like the negative perception of black men in his Facebook news feed.

Men fighting with each other. Kids walking around with sagging pants.

“To me, it showed no self-pride or self-worth,” Braggs said. “I didn’t like it at all.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/04/25/joliet-photographer-giving-negative-image-of-men-an-upgrade/aj2q41e/

An Extraordinary Life: Bolingbrook woman had a H.E.A.R.T for youth

Joann Robinson helped give youth the second chance they needed

“She graduated over 3,000 students from this program,” Darryl Anderson ofWiscon, Joann's brother said. “She kept in contact with each one of those students. Each year, those kids received a handwritten birthday card from Joann Robinson.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/04/27/an-extraordinary-life-bolingbrook-woman-had-a-h-e-a-r-t-for-youth/axzfgtp/

Pets of the Week: May 1

Click on the caption of each photo to find out about that pet, including where he or she can be adopted.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/04/28/pets-of-the-week-may-1/a531iog/

Plainfield group serves up food, information and support to patients with celiac disease

Gluten Free Wikaduke Support Group keeps celiac patients on track

A major focus is food and food preparation, said Tracy Caswell, of Shorewood and a group co-founder, said. This may include cooking demonstrations and dietitian guest speakers, along with sharing recipes and offering tips about gluten-free products and restaurants that serve gluten-free menu items.

“We’ve even done beer tasting,” Caswell said. “Everyone brings in a bottle of favorite beer – or buys one they’d like to try – and we do little shot glasses of beer.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/04/27/plainfield-group-serves-up-food-information-and-support-to-patients-with-celiac-disease/afb96ev/

Mystery Diner: Chefy’s Kitchen serves the best homemade food around

We were curious as to how Chefy’s Kitchen’s poor boys compared with those served at other venues and the way each of us prepares them at home.

The menu said they came with a garlic paste; the server said this was a mixture of garlic and olive oil.

We like olive oil. We like garlic. We were sold.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/05/01/mystery-diner-chefys-kitchen-serves-the-best-homemade-food-around/a6v215n/

Bolingbrook pastor pens book about the road to radical Christian love

'The Panther at the Cross' is a historical novel about Christian activism

Too often, according to Calvin Quarles, author of "The Panther at the Cross" and pastor of the Church at Bolingbrook, Christians act as if they're supposed to be docile and quiet, "as if Christ intended them to be the doormat of the world."

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/05/02/bolingbrook-pastor-pens-book-about-the-road-to-radical-christian-love/agv5f3x/

3 plant sales in New Lenox area benefit people with disabilities

Horticulture programs for people with disabilities offer many advantages

Trinity Services’ horticulture program’s spring sale opens May 5. In addition, the Lincoln-Way Transition Program will host its flower and vegetable sale on May 6 and May 13.

A spring plant sale May 6, May 13 and May 20 will benefit the House of Blooms program at Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/04/27/3-plant-sales-in-new-lenox-area-benefit-people-with-disabilities/a8871mk/

Artworks: Shorewood resident's STEM book recognized by national teacher's organizations (VIDEO EXTRA)

‘Emmet’s Storm’ receives Best STEM Books designation

“It felt good to see my book listed with books by Harper Collins and other publishers,” Ann Rubino, 77, of Shorewood, said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/03/17/artworks-shorewood-residents-stem-book-recognized-by-national-teachers-organizations/a6191ys/

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Week of April 12, 2015

And without further ado...


Shorewood residwent turns family memories into an engaging children's book
By Mauverneen Blevins

Ann Rubino tells the story of World War II, as seen through the eyes of a young boy growing up in an Italian village, and she isn't stopping there.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/03/24/shorewood-resident-turns-family-memories-into-an-engaging-childrens-book/amfluoq/?page=1


An Extraordinary Life: Joliet man could fix and build anything

His dollhouse has to be seen to be believed.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/03/31/an-extraordinary-life-joliet-man-could-fix-and-build-anything-he-wished/awyi327/?page=1


Breast cancer often a surprise diagnosis for men

It's easier to diagnose and harder to treat, for the same reason. Read on...

http://seoplus.theherald-news.com/2015/01/28/breast-cancer-often-a-surprise-diagnosis-for-men/agzsx2w/


Minooka woman painted and distributed thousands of tiny glass angels

A TV show inspired her, and now that she has terminal colon cancer, another artist is carrying on the ministry.

http://ads.seoplus.theherald-news.com/2015/04/14/minooka-woman-painted-and-distributed-thousands-of-tiny-glass-angels/aoxcmc0/


Plainfield writing programs give writers a chance to connect
By Brittany Keeperman

The Plainfield Public Library initiated a series of many writing programs this year, all leading up to one important event.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/03/20/plainfield-writing-programs-give-writers-a-chance-to-connect/at2cj15/