Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Nov. 26 to Dec. 2, 2022

Good morning!

I have twelve features and news stories to share with you today. But more will be scheduled this weekend. So do check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news. 

WriteOn Joliet's sixth anthology is live and you can buy it here on Amazon. Or you can purchase it on Dec. 8 at WriteOn Joliet's annual anthology release party, which will be held at the Joliet Public Library, one of our community partners. Details are here.

One the fiction side of things, I plan to release the first three books in the new "Girls of the BryonySeries" subseries  at WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party on December 8 are now available online on Amazon.

Jennifer Wainright (frontispiece artist for Lycanthropic Summer) created the portraits for all three books (and is currently working on a fourth). Rebekah designed the cover art.

These first three books are Julie and the Too-Hard Homework,  Summer Sisters, and Katie and the Big Fear, which are all now available on Amazon. And when Timothy has time to update the website, these three books, as well as Call of the Siren, will also be available in the BryonySeries bookstore.

I'm also currently working on a new Adventures of Cornell Dyer story: Cornell Dyer and the Hounds of Basketville. 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. 

Next up in the series: a Sherlock Holmes parody (the main character is Sherman Homes), which has a solid outline. Sue Midlock is already working on the cover and the interior art: Sherman Homes and the Howls of Basketville.

I'm currently outlining the final book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy: House on Top of the Hill. 

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. But I'm not sharing any details yet. 

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

Speaking of Rebekah, thank you for all the good thoughts and prayers for Rebekah. We finally have finally identified and eliminated some health concerns and now have a clear picture on how to treat her. She has a road ahead of her, but everything is treatable. So please continue all the well wishes.

Rebekah is the behind-the-scenes driver of the BryonySeries. She oversees its all its financial aspects, handles all book production, manages two social media accounts, and is the go-to person at events. Plus, she's a wonderful person. We need her to feel much better soon.

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 Sunday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks or will be featured in an upcoming cookbook.

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. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year, well, except this 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 support in your writing, I highly recommend this Twitter group: #5amwritersclub. I  joined it last year. Writers support each other on Twitter and meet every three weeks at 5 a.m. (4 a.m. CST - needless to say, I am often late!) on Zoom.

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

Misuse of antibiotics can hurt you, Morris Hospital pharmacist warns: Becca Capshaw: ‘We have this need to receive something when we feel bad.’

Tickets for Joliet band’s 39th Christmas concert are free, on one condition.: Mike Fiske: ‘You also get to hear the Barton Grande Organ in the beautiful Rialto.’

New Lenox student starts mental health awareness club for her school’s athletes: Kailee O’Sullivan: ‘Mental health was not something our school talked about too much’

Get a photo with a horse, donate to Salvation Army on Saturday in New Lenox: Will County Trail Riders will ring bells for the nonprofit with their horses in tow.

Register now for ‘Owl Watch’ tours and ‘Owl Prowl’ hikes in Will County this December 

Shorewood teen has performed in ‘The Nutcracker’ for 5 years. She’s now the lead.: Tickets still available to ‘The Nutcracker’ at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet on Sunday. 

Media literacy: Illinois high schools are teaching students how to spot fake news

Baran-Unland: Joliet university’s “Spirit of Christmas’ begins 30th year: Livestream or listen on your radio. 

MLK Day of Service returns to Joliet in 2023: register now: The 16-year event took a pause during the pandemic.

Register now for Veterans Appreciation Night at Lockport H.S.: Veterans will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

Pets of the Week: Nov. 28, 2022: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption.

5 Things to do in Will County: Holiday-themed live performances, festivals, concert

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Sept.18 through Sept.23

Felt a little more productive at work than I have in a long time (Hope uttering it doesn't jinx it). Maybe it's my new maxim of "Enjoy the roll!" oft-repeated throughout the day that's making a difference, thank you, Tom Rossman. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTX8jB6XBuA

Today is a catch-up day for briefs, while I entertain a job shadower. Tonight is dinner and a community play with a friend, and tomorrow is an early morning dentist appointment and fiction,name;y Before the Blood. Sunday is a picnic at our church in Homewood, calendar work, and then the work week rolls around again.

Here's the weekly recap:

First, the non-bylined work: the health, faith, and arts and entertainment calendars. Three of them can be found at the link below. 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 if you do peek at these stories, to quote our editor Kate Schott, "Thank you for reading The Herald-News." :)

30-plus year radio broadcasting career comes to a halt for Plainfield man

Bob Zak hopes to return to the airwaves one day

A 30-plus career in radio is darn good for a former shy kid who didn’t do well in school, but did spend hours tuning into his idols, Larry Lujack on Chicago’s WCFL and WLS and Frank O’Leary on Joliet’s WJOL, and longing to emulate them.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/09/15/30-plus-year-radio-broadcasting-career-comes-to-a-halt-for-plainfield-man/aocb3nx/


An Extraordinary Life: Joliet woman taught children how to live and love

Beltzhoover’s home day care was faith in action

“She was truly the most selfless person I have ever known,” said Christine Beltzhoover of Naperville, Rita’s daughter. “She had so much grace and class, just a beautiful spirit.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/09/14/joliet-woman-taught-children-how-to-live-and-love/a93fty2/

Family of Joliet woman battling cancer seek donations for her wedding (VIDEO EXTRA)

Joliet woman with cancer hopes to walk down the aisle

“I was good until October of last year,” Alaimo said. “I went in for my normal six-month followup and they called me back right away saying, ‘Your tumor markers are off the wall.’”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/09/20/family-of-joliet-woman-battling-cancer-seek-donations-for-her-wedding/atvnf7s/

Joliet pastor brews up beer and Bible study (VIDEO EXTRA)

‘Bible & Brew’ serves up the gospel with meaning and enjoyment

“There’s never a dull moment,” Barbara Pierce, of Plainfield, said. “The pastor has the ability to spontaneously answer a question. He’s got a background in theology, which I appreciate because some pastors don’t. So it’s invigorating and full of energy.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/09/20/joliet-pastor-brews-up-beer-and-bible-study/aadrel2/

Shared love for old cars makes this Joliet club run

Joliet Antique Auto Club open to new members

“Obviously we like to bring younger folks onto the scene,” Don Meyer said. “But if someone drives a new car out of the showroom – we’re not into that stuff.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/09/21/shared-love-for-old-cars-makes-this-joliet-club-run/aq9tdvn/