Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 3 to Dec. 9, 2022

WOW! - What a night last night!

WriteOn Joliet hosted its annual anthology release party last night at the Joliet Public Library, Black Road Branch, and the night was phenomenal in ways an event can be phenomenal.

Attendance was our best yet - we were full for two solid hours. And "by attendance," I mean people we've never met, people we know but never met in person, people who support us every year, and people who regularly support us and brought friends.

By "attendance," I also mean attendees who were having a really good time. The room buzzed with conversation. Everyone was either smiling or looking as if they were having fun. And why not? 

Attendees mingled, browsed books, enjoyed free food, asked questions, caught up with old friends: this is what I mean by phenomenal attendance.

Everyone sold - and some sold very well.

We sold eleven anthologies; the anthology is also available for purchase on Amazon.

We had high praise for the, upscale appetizers and desserts Timothy laid out on two tables.

The Book Market in Crest Hill successfully held its first remote event.

Jasmine, the cookie baker and chief decorator for the edible vampire slaying kits, had lots of interest in her skills and distributed quite a few of her own business cards.

And Bertrand the Mouse and Uncle Barty had a night to remember!

I will recap more next week - once I find people who took photos.

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

Fiction-wise, These first three books in the new Girls of the BryonySeries subseries are released. They are Julie and the Too-Hard Homework,  Summer Sisters, and Katie and the Big Fear, which are all now available on Amazon.

I'm 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. 

I'm 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.

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

Joliet church hosting new holiday production; tickets are free : Show times for ‘The Mall Messiah’ are Dec. 16, Dec. 17 and Dec. 18.

Joliet District 86 teacher’s union reach tentative agreement: The union consists of 737 certified staff members 

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet, seeking clients, volunteers for new program: Crystal Del Rio: ‘You can connect from the comfort of your own home’ 

New Lenox H.S. hosting basketball clinic for kids with special needs: Any child with special needs is welcome. 

Art plays key role in Lockport’s revitalization.: Steven Streit: ‘Artists and designers have a passion that brings excitement and energy.’

Baran-Unland: Remembering the heroes among us: History isn’t dry facts between the covers of a book. It’s the experiences of the people who lived them.

Give the gift of lifesaving blood this holiday season in Will and Grundy counties: Donations of type O blood and platelets are especially needed

Children’s Tylenol, Motrin scarce as ‘tridemic’ hits northern Illinois: Northwestern Hospital pediatrician asks parents to not hoard hard-to-find drugs

Ancient tradition at Joliet church on Sunday brings hope for ‘dark times.’: Lucia Fest is the forerunner to the Christmas holiday in Swedish culture.

Naperville man found shot dead in Bolingbrook: police

5 Things to do in Will County: holiday concerts let the spirit ring.: Plus, holiday stories for kids and adults.

Pets of the Week: Dec. 5, 2022: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption.

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, May 14 to May 20

Good morning!

I have sixteen feature stories to share with you today and more yet posted. So do check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news. 

Over the last couple of months, I also wrote an additional nineteen stories for a special "Thank You, Teachers," edition that will ran in print and online on May 5. You can check out all those stories at this link: https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/teachers/

On the fiction side of things, Rebekah has formatted Call of the Siren and she is working on cover design. Call of the Siren is the second book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy, with gorgeous cover art by Nancy Calkins.

We are also waiting approval from KDP for Cornell Dyer and the "Mistical" Being and waiting for the arrival of the proof copy for Cornell Dyer and the Calcium Deficient Bones and Cornell Dyer and the "Mistical" Being.

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

Next up in the series: a Sherlock Holmes parody (the main character is Sherman Homes). Timothy and I had scheduled a "Cornell" breakfast for last Saturday. But he was sick, so we postponed it again. This weekend is "Art in the Park" and next weekend I'm working. But perhaps Memorial Day?

Jennifer Wainright (frontispiece artist for Lycanthropic Summer) has completed two portraits for  "Girls of the BryonySeries" series for tween girls and is currently working on a third. The portraits are beautiful and it shows that artist Jennifer Wainright can draw anything from werewolves to portraits! 

Rebekah has completed cover art for two of "Girls of the BryonySeries" books. They are beautiful! One book in this series of eight books is completely written, a second is halfway written, and the rest are outlined. 

Now back to the sixteen 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

Flu still hanging out in Will, Grundy counties: Your allergy symptoms might not be allergies.

Mystery Diner in Shorewood: Happy Place Cafe has fast service, family atmosphere: Good experience for dine-in and carryout

‘An unfortunate confluence of factors’ leaves parents throughout northern Illinois scrambling to find baby formula: Factors include supply chain woes, formula recall

Pets of the Week: May 16: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption.

D-204 in Joliet announces its students of the month for May 2022: Service clubs honored ‘character, responsibility, and academic performance or improvement’ 

Catholic Charities’ donation center in Lockport has 60 days to find a new home: The Giving Tree is a place for eligible clients to ‘shop’ with vouchers. 

Multiple Joliet area organizations come together to send hygiene kits to Ukraine: Sue Pritz-Bornhofen: ‘If more people would open their doors and their hearts, I think we all would be better off.’

JJC award-winning orthotics teacher changing lives with her skills: Alisha Brennon: ‘You know you are 100% changing a person’s life’

Romeoville man needs bone marrow donor to beat leukemia: John Block hopes his story will attract diverse donors. 

Morris Hospital earns 8th “A” rating in a row for patient safety: Landers: ‘Patient safety is our number one priority.’

Joliet 5th-graders showcased their business skills: ‘This is really about helping the kids’ Teacher Amberley Maierhofer: ‘This is really about helping the kids to grow and succeed in life.’  

Take a walk on Sunday in Bolingbrook and help young heart patients: Congenital heart disease affects 1 in 100 people

Red Cross needs volunteers to install free smoke alarms in Joliet on Saturday: Need a smoke alarm? Sign up by Friday to receive one. 

5 Things to do in Will County: art in the park, bird counts, touch-a-truck and wellness fair: Plus Marty Stuart and “Carrot Top” will peform at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet. 

After prison sentence, Frankfort resident looks to raise awareness for second chances: McReynolds: ‘I wanted to be prepared for a better kind of life than when I walked in.’

East side Joliet neighborhood needs volunteers for Saturday’s cleanup day: Chat with neighbors, meet new friends, get community service hours.

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, April 30 to May 6

 Good morning!

I have twenty-three feature stories to share with you today and more yet posted. So do check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news. 

Over the last couple of months, I also wrote an additional nineteen stories for a special "Thank You, Teachers," edition that will ran in print and online on May 5. You can check out all those stories at this link: https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/thank-you/teachers/

On the fiction side of things, I'm working on the final development of the minor characters in Call of the Siren. My goal (from a Friday morning point of view) is to complete that process this weekend. 

Call of the Siren is the second book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy, with gorgeous cover art by Nancy Calkins.

Now that our slew of family emergencies (2022) is an adventure: here is one of our emergencies), Rebekah is planning to dedicate two days in May to catching up with BryonySeries projects she's had to let go for a while.

That includes formatting Call of the Siren and do the finishing production touches of Cornell Dyer and the Calcium Deficient Bones and Cornell Dyer and the "Mistical" Being, along with some other behind-the-scenes projects, such as updating the BryonySeries Pinterest and YouTube pages.

Both Rebekah and our artist Sue Midlock have gone through health issues this past year, which has caused publication delays (both books were written last year. But I'd rather have delays and healthy collaborators. Please send up good thoughts for them both.

Next up in the series: a Sherlock Holmes parody (the main character is Sherman Homes). Timothy is ready for a Cornell breakfast to share his ideas.

Jennifer Wainright (frontispiece artist for Lycanthropic Summer) has completed two portraits for  "Girls of the BryonySeries" series for tween girls and is currently working on a third. The portraits are beautiful and it shows that artist Jennifer Wainright can draw anything from werewolves to portraits! 

Rebekah has completed cover art for two of "Girls of the BryonySeries" books. They are beautiful! One book in this series of eight books is completely written, a second is halfway written, and the rest are outlined. 

Now back to the twenty-three 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 Will County Go Guide and Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story and Book Review Newsletter at https://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/

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

Camp Fire Illinois Prairie has Crest Hill chapter, offering day camp in Bolingbrook: Camp Fire Illinois Prairie also offers the NASA Astro Camp Collaborative Partners Program. 

Baran-Unland: Please give this sweet cat a home: Larry’s siblings Moe and Curly are already adopted. Larry is eager for a forever home, too.

Families of Bolingbrook school planning peaceful protest on Friday in Romeoville: Families at St. Dominic Catholic School in Bolingbrook want to know why its school is closing.

Catholic Charities’ Senior Companion Program aims to dispel loneliness and isolation in seniors: Schweikart: ‘Our volunteers are just amazingly caring individuals’ 

What’s good for the kidney is good for the heart: Sound waves are often used for breaking up kidney stones. Now Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox is using them to remove calcifications from the arteries. 

Clothilde Ewing had trouble finding diverse books for her kids, so she wrote her own: Ewing: ‘There weren’t as many books as I would have liked to have seen with a child who happens to be Black’

Joliet hospice honors its 120 volunteers with yard signs and field calls: But more volunteers are needed. Here’s how you can help. 

Pets of the Week: May 2: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption.

Severe weather rolling into Will and Grundy counties Saturday afternoon

Dispose of medications, documents on May 7 at Troy Township: Needles properly contained inside an approved sharps container also will be accepted

Armed robber killed in bar stickup near Frankfort: cops

Providence Catholic H.S. in New Lenox names new principal for 2022: Paul Houston steps into the role on July 1.

Will County Progressives want ‘lame duck’ to replace Connor: Ibarra, Bright, said neither Deomcratic candidate for the 43rd District should be appointed in the interim 

Connor resigns from Illinois SenateConnor’s resignation was effective Saturday: Connor’s resignation was effective Saturday

D-204 in Joliet announces its students of the month for April 2022: Service clubs honored ‘character, responsibility, and academic performance or improvement’ 

Come out and golf May 19 and help adults and kids with disabilities and mental health needs: Trinity Services in New Lenox serves more than 5800 people in more than 30 Illinois communities 

Timbers of Shorewood names Jennifer Loughran as its Volunteer of the Year: Odell: ‘Jennifer has truly been a blessing with her contagious smile, positive attitude, and upbeat personality’ 

Troy 30-C school board recognizes March 2022 Students of the Month: Students selected for their consistent effort, productive citizenship, positive attitude and participation in class

Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers earns 11 awards of excellence: Professional Research Consultants Inc. recognized Morris Hospital with the awards.

Morris Hospital announces its Fire Starter of the Month for April : Carl Pohl, an environmental services associate, was recognized for excellence and friendliness.

5 Things to do in Will County: Get back to nature this weekend with a hike and planting kit: Plus, check out 3 ways to enjoy music or comedy, too.

Morris Hospital to host blood drive May 13: Face masks are required.

Will-Grundy Medical Clinic celebrating 34 years, remodeling 100-year-old building: RSVP for the May 19 celebration by May 5.

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Community News: Jan. 15, 2019

Check out upcoming events, some good recipes, and the awesome things people are doing.

If you live within the Herald-News' coverage area (most of Will and Grundy counties in Illinois), and you'd like to share your organization's news or upcoming events, email the information to new@theherald-news.com.

Local food events: Jan. 14 through Jan. 21 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/13/local-food-events-jan-14-through-jan-21/a5gj41h/

62nd Annual Caritas Scholarship Ball is Jan. 26 in Joliet

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/15/62nd-annual-caritas-scholarship-ball/a95q236/

Daddy-Daughter Matinee Ball Feb. 9 in Romeoville

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/15/daddy-daughter-matinee-ball-feb-9-in-romeoville/asd23gw/

Around Town: Glen Marcum playground in Joliet

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/15/aroundtown-glen-marcum-playground-in-joliet/af1bt51/

Knowing risks today can lead to a healthier tomorrow 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/11/22/knowing-risks-today-can-lead-to-a-healthier-tomorrow/awgja4o/

IDOT seeking stories for Life or Death Illinois 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/15/idot-seeking-stories-for-lif-or-death-illinois/apzk3f8/

When the thyroid acts up

Endocrinologist at Morris Hospital explains some common disorders

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/15/when-the-thyroid-acts-up/adzm1aj/

Illinois Council for Exceptional Children honored 2 VVSD students 

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/01/01/c036d9e6f03b4f31a5cbeab526a05980/index.xml

Terrell named executive director of service group 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/11/terrell-named-executive-director-of-service-group/a22qu2/


NEWSLETTERS


Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//


Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/


Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Community News: June 8, 2018

Check out upcoming events in the Joliet area, as well as the awesome things people are doing.

Local arts and entertainment June 8 through June 15

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/06/06/local-arts-and-entertainment-june-8-through-june-15/ax3dj10/

Catholic Charities to host annual "A Swing and a Prayer" on Aug. 23 in Joliet 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/06/07/catholic-charities-to-host-annual-a-swing-and-a-prayer-on-aug-23-in-joliet/at2t97x/

Lockport park district pools are open 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/06/07/lockport-park-district-pools-are-open/aryypo2/

Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox offering sports camps

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/06/07/providence-catholic-high-school-in-new-lenox-offering-sports-camps/af9oryu/

Channahon bike path to make use of federal funds

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/06/07/channahon-bike-path-to-make-use-of-federal-funds/aimb8pg/

Fountaindale Public Library offers free summer fun to Bolingbrook residents

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/06/07/fountaindale-public-library-offers-free-summer-fun-to-bolingbrook-residents/au9r0c9/

Montessori of Frankfort and Montessori of Plainfield host 17th Annual Daddy Daughter Dance

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/06/07/montessori-of-frankfort-and-montessori-of-plainfield-host-17th-annual-daddy-daughter-dance/ah18kol/

Old Canal Days’ #Lockport city cemetery tours take visitors back in time 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/06/07/old-canal-days-lockport-city-cemetery-tours-take-visitors-back-in-time/aet3q5z/

Lockport park district offering day trips

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/06/07/lockport-park-district-offering-day-trips/a1jvplh/

DuPage River Trail segment linking Will and DuPage county preserves is now open

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/06/07/2b45c4f8bccc47a1bd7af0feb86b2a1d/index.xml?page=1


And the newsletters:

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//

Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/

Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."