WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Mauverneen Blevins

Good morning! 

In the next couple of weeks leading up to showtime, I'm planning to introduce you to each of the 2025 WriteOn Joliet Radio-Players and flood this blog with show details.

Are you ready? Here goes!

Ten members of WriteOn Joliet will present “We Can Be Heroes," an original radio theater production, at 7 p.m. April 25 and 2:30 and 7 p.m. April 26 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Admission is $5.

One of the author/performers is Mauverneen Blevins.

Mauverneen (or Maureen as she is generally called) has spent most of her life in the Midwest, although she loves to travel and does so at every opportunity. 

Her interest in photography was sparked at an early age by a beloved uncle, and has developed into a passion over time, earning her a number of photography awards. 

Following in her mother's footsteps, who was also a published writer and author of four books, she began writing and has been published in various magazines and anthologies. 

Mauverneen is the author of "I KNOW That Bird!: Introducing Young Children to some common birds of the backyard," which is available for purchase on Amazon.

Her weekly blog, Positively Tuesday, is an ongoing attempt towards encouraging more positive thinking, one Tuesday at a time. 

She is the mother of three beautiful daughters, and foster mom to her adorable dog, Bailey. 

Mauverneen also created these beautiful individual radio-player cards I will be posting.

The other authors and performers on April 25 and April 26 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Ed Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, Colleen H. Robbins, Jenny Russ, and Duanne Walton.

Director is Anne Magosky

Production assistant is Rebekah Baran.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

In addition, the first fifteen attendees at each performance will receive a FREE 2024 WriteOn Joliet anthology, courtesy of Saporta Law Offices in Joliet.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

For more information, visit mauveonthemove.com, maureenblevins.blogspot.com, and writeonjoliet.com.

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Mauverneen Blevins

Good morning! 

In the next couple of weeks leading up to showtime, I'm planning to introduce you to each of the 2024 WriteOn Joliet Radio-Players and flood this blog with show details.

Are you ready? Here goes!

Nine members of WriteOn Joliet will present “Fragments of Time," an original radio theater production, at 7 p.m. April 19 and April 20 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Admission is $5.

One of the author/performers is Mauverneen Blevins.

Mauverneen (or Maureen as she is generally called) has spent most of her life in the Midwest, although she loves to travel and does so at every opportunity. 

Her interest in photography was sparked at an early age by a beloved uncle, and has developed into a passion over time, earning her a number of photography awards. 

Following in her mother's footsteps, who was also a published writer and author of four books, she began writing and has been published in various magazines and anthologies. 

Mauverneen is the author of "I KNOW That Bird!: Introducing Young Children to some common birds of the backyard," which is available for purchase on Amazon.

Her weekly blog, Positively Tuesday, is an ongoing attempt towards encouraging more positive thinking, one Tuesday at a time. 

She is the mother of three beautiful daughters, and foster mom to her adorable dog, Bailey. 

Mauverneen also created these beautiful individual radio-player cards I will be posting.

The other authors and performers on April 19 and April 20 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, Jenny Russ, and Duanne Walton.

Director is Rachel Veres.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

For more information, visit mauveonthemove.com, maureenblevins.blogspot.com, and writeonjoliet.com.

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Week of June 14, 2015

A long/short week of surprises and delights, working much of Saturday to take a few writing days off and working into the weekend with an unusally longer list of duties accompanying my being the editor on call this weekend.

But with all three of my youngest young adults working the weekends now (except church) amongst those duties, I will definitely be working on Before the Blood.

With the exception of my column, the stories below are all written by my freelancers (just the way the budget fell this month), but I was pleased with each one of them. Two of the writers have only previously covered events, so these were their first feature stories, and they are well done.

I also put together four event calendars each week: health, faith, and arts and entertainment. Three of them can be found at the link below. http://www.theherald-news.com/lifestyle/ The fourth, Gotta Do It, runs each Sunday.

Check back with www.theherald-news.com each day for new event listings.

Finally, a few last remarks.

Recently, An Extraordinary Life column won third place at the Illiinois Associated Press Awards last week and one of my feature stories won second place at the Illinois Associated Press Awards:

http://www.theherald-news.com/2014/02/04/cardiologist-heals-broken-relationship-with-god/anpnyig/

While anyone that knows me also knows that I don't work for money, awards, or titles, and that I have shunned contests, etc., with one hundred percent consistency, these events are part of working for a company and part of the reocgnition that goes along with working in this particular industry.

In short, it was encouraging to see that, in my professional career that has spanned nearly two decades and is only "official" in just the past year and a half, my writin g could stand up to the scrutiny of judges. It was a nice affirmation.

Crest Hill couple still going strong after 75 years

By Christine Johnson

They officially met in a cemetary and attended girlie shows together? 

Say what?

Meet one couple that is still deeply in love with each other after all these years, and learn their secrets for staying happy together. With video extra.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/06/09/crest-hill-couple-still-going-strong-after-75-years/apqclfm/

An Extraordinary Life: One man's musical path

Read how a personal tragedy and an opportunity at a funeral became a lifetime of blessing others.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/06/12/an-extraordinary-life-one-mans-musical-path/alb18mc/

Pets of the Week

For that purrfect canine or feline companion, search no more.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/06/11/the-herald-news-pets-of-the-week/av8ukdy/

New Lenox woman who fought debilitating fibromyalgia takes part in triathlon

By Allison Selk

A fantastic photo by our photo editor Eric Ginnard is the perfect lede into this story, which must be read to the end to see how this New Lenox champion of herself fared.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/06/11/new-lenox-woman-who-fought-debilitating-fibromyalgia-takes-part-in-triathlon/abzs06x/

Pastor focuses on the people

By Dawn Aulet

A community-minded minister recently had an experience that significantly expands the community he now serves.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/06/11/pastor-focuses-on-the-people/ay4mrqe/

Joliet Area Community Hospice hosts annual garden walk for pediatric programs

By Mauverneen Blevins

A profile of one of the thirteen gardens featured on this walk, along with descriptions of the others. See how the concept one set of grandparents has blossomed into a still-growing legacy.

http://httpwww.theherald-news.com/2015/06/11/joliet-area-community-hospice-hosts-annual-garden-walk-for-pediatric-programs/a4jdiw3/

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/

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Weeks of March 15 and 22 2015

Okay, vampire fans, time to catch up!

It's been a busy couple of weeks. Here's a round-up of my work at The Herald-News - my stories and the stories I've been privileged to edit:

Former educator for Joliet Public Schools District 86 repairs and donates toys

By Mauverneen Blevins

An ordinary trip with his wife to Good Will to buy clothes turned into a whole new avocation.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/03/13/former-educator-for-joliet-public-schools-district-86-repairs-and-donates-toys/am182dw/

An Extraordinary Life: New Lenox man was so enamoured with the drums

While playing for fun and profit, as well as teaching children the skill, Tom Goodwin managed to put family first.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/03/13/an-extraordinary-life-new-lenox-man-was-so-enamoured-with-the-drums/an52ugu/

Lockport woman begins grassroots ministry

By Sean Leary

She has one goal: to give and praise to God and encourage others to do likewise.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/03/17/lockport-woman-begins-grassroots-ministry-plainfield-pastor-to-perform-at-event/at59ilr/

Joliet photographers' gallery works a very mixed bag

By Brittany Keeperman

For forty years, Bob Campbell has been shooting portraits in his unique style, and that career began with a Beach Boys concert.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/03/17/joliet-photographers-gallery-works-a-very-mixed-bag/a49wqxe/

Joliet neighbors are hobby bird breeders, toymakers

In a story reminiscent of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, the venture started more like this: if you take a friend to a bird fair...

http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/03/03/joliet-neighbors-are-hobby-bird-breeders-toymakers/a8hfjlr/

Stroke response care and neuro care available in Will County

By Jeanne Millsap

Ten years ago, neurosurgeons that performed cranial surgery had vanished from the area, due to unafforable malpractice insurance premiums. Today, hospitals in Will County offer university-level care at the community level. Read one woman's amazing story...

http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/03/17/stroke-response-care-and-neuro-care-available-in-will-county/ablrdjc/?page=1

Two Joliet pastors form community initiative to stop gun violence

One reached out to New Town after the school shootings, another has been the victim of gun violence. But both pastors are saying, "Enough is enough!"

p://www.theherald-news.com/2015/03/24/two-joliet-pastors-form-community-initiative-to-stop-gun-violence/adttw5s/

Retired Mokena pastor teaches adults to play at Joliet church

Nancy Pfaltzgraf believes the secret of youth is not in jars and creams, but in a child-like, playful spirit.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/02/25/retired-mokena-pastor-teaches-adults-to-play-at-joliet-church/al600eo/