Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Sept. 8 through Sept. 13

I have a meeting in just a little bit, so no great commentaries this morning - just sincere wishes that anyone reading this post today has a wonderful Friday and even better weekend, full of simple pleasures and sublime blessings.

Immediately below is where to find various information. Directly below that are this week's feature stories. Enjoy! :)

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.

New Lenox mother speaks out after daughter's serious vaping-related illness 
Teen’s mother wants other parents to learn from her daughter’s experience

Dr. Aaron Weiner, director of addiction services at Linden Oaks Behavioral Health in Naperville thinks it isn’t THC or nicotine alone that may be contributing to the mysterious vaping-related respiratory illnesses. It’s the toxins in the vapor aerosol, he said.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/09/06/new-lenox-mother-speaks-out-after-daughters-serious-vaping-related-illness/am4onmz/


Giving back to those who served
Joliet Boy Scout creates memorial patio for Shorewood veterans

The project, a brick memorial paver patio honoring veterans, will be privately dedicated on 9/11, following the remembrance ceremony for the Shorewood Glen veterans.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/09/05/98cc66a5f3784354bb5bc3413ee5f11a/index.xml


An Extraordinary Life Keeping a child's memory alive
Joliet family to dedicate Caleb's Corner on Sept. 14 in Mokena 

“It’s very tricky,” Claudia Neff said. “No one wants to talk about death, let alone the death of a child. It’s very scary to talk about. We’re trying to find a way to talk about it. I think that’s very important.”

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/09/07/5f89dfb726de4b34aeb135c891886810/index.xml


Quick tips for healthier eating
Plan ahead for cost-effective, nutritious meals the entire family can enjoy 

Family life seems to get busier with each passing year, and it’s hard to plan for healthy eating.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/09/11/quick-tips-for-healthier-eating/armqkxx/


Joliet artist creates with a purpose
'I'm not here to entertain you, I'm here to make you think.'

Kump’s recent CD “Animal Spirit Soul” features “Wovoka Ghost Dance” and “My Favorite Part of a Woman."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/09/10/c48ea97810d84753b266bc35233ac37a/index.xml


Stage or screen, this Minooka teen loves acting and singing

"I love portraying different characters and stepping out of my comfort zone to do something," Lauryn Glossett said. "In the long run, that has always been a positive experience."

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/09/10/stage-or-screen-this-minooka-teen-loves-acting-and-singing/aj0o5j0/


LocalLit book spotlight: 'Life's Wisdom Overcoming Addiction' by Ralph Carey of Joliet

Read how one local man addressed his addiction.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/09/12/locallit-book-spotlight-lifes-wisdom-overcoming-addiction-by-ralph-carey-of-joliet/ahf448q/

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

BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: Today at The Book Market

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Today at The Book Market

Today is an appreciation post. Monday's post will recap my impressions.

First of all, a huge THANK YOU to Sue Merrell for arrranging the event and inviting me to participate, The Book Market owner Jan Staley for hosting and promoting us; Allie Rios for handling the extras: promotional flyers, author one-sheets, frames, and a Facebook ad; Daniel Baran for transportation; and Rebekah Baran for her phenomenal "take charge" organizational and managerial skills.

I'm blessed to know and collaborate with some really outstanding people. God is truly good.

The venue:

The Book Market, an indie shop of new and used books, is located at 2366 Plainfield Road in Crest Hill. For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/newandusedbooks/ and http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/04/13/crest-hill-bookstore-expands-across-the-street/atrjgyw/


My fellow WriteOn Joliet authors:

Sue Merrell writes crime fiction. The setting and incidents are based on similar ones in the Joliet area. For more information, visit suemerrellbooks.com.

Allie Rios writes inspirational fiction on the theme of healing. She also has a collection of stories about brain cancer battles (including the story of her mother) that benefits the American Brain Foundation at www.americanbrainfoundation.org. Find her on Facebook at Allison Rios, Author and at www.amijustmom.blogspot.com.

Ralph Carey, a recovering alcoholic, has an inspirational book about the recovery journey. Find him on Facebook at Life's Wisdom Overcoming Addiction.

From left: Ralph Carey, Jan Staley, Allie Rios, Denise M. Baran-Unland, Sue Merrell

Slacking and Four-Author Event Reminder

But only in fiction. But only because my features writing and editing consumed my time this weekend.

It felt satisfying to get so much accomplished, yet frustrating, too, because half the list remained. (My lists are rather ambitious).

However, before I left for a funeral last night, I did reread, aloud (because my WriteOn Joliet co-leader says I read too quickly) the selection I'm bringing to the meeting Thursday night. I also printed out copies and tucked them into my laptop bag. That probably counts as fiction, right/write?

A reminder for readers in the Joliet area: Four members of WriteOn Joliet will chat and sign books this Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Book Market at 2366 Plainfield Road in Crest Hill.

Sue Merrell writes crime fiction. The setting and incidents are based on similar ones in the Joliet area. For more information, visit suemerrellbooks.com.

Allie Rios writes inspirational fiction on the theme of healing. She also has a collection of stories about brain cancer battles (including the story of her mother) that benefits the American Brain Foundation at www.americanbrainfoundation.org. Find her on Facebook at Allison Rios, Author.

Ralph Carey, a recovering alcoholic, has an inspirational book about the recovery journey. Find him on Facebook at Life's Wisdom Overcoming Addiction.

For people on a budget, I'm giving away fifteen copies of Snowbell that day.

For more information, visit www.bryonyseries.com/Fetes_and_Feasts.html.

Have a great Monday, vampire fans! :)

Fretting About Christmas Presents...And Then I Read This

Many years ago, our family started a tradition of celebrating Christmas on January seventh.


Yes, we still keep the "traditional" dates of December twenty-four and December twenty-five. But we had friends that observed the Julian date, and I had the foresight of realizing that sonner or later (it's always sooner, isn't it?) my children would be grown with families of their own, and other traditions and ways of celebrating (along with people with whom to celebrate) would emerge in their lives.


So I wanted to create a way where the unit of my children's birth family could gather under one roof and celebrate Christmas. Also, since Christmas Eve was the day we visited the in-laws, and Christmas Day was the day we visited my family, I also wanted to create a tradition that was uniquely ours. To sweeten the January seven date, years after we'd begun this tradition, Rebekah was born, so the day now has a dual place in our hearts.


So where does the fretting come in?


Anyone who's followed this blog for some time knows we're recovering from a crushing financial crisis. This year, for the first time in many years, we finally, finally have enough coins in the purse to buy a few modest gifts.


However.


A combined set of challenges means that, for me, Christmas gifts for my own children - from me - won't happen. Two medical emergencies with Timothy plus back to one car again plus full work schedules that extended into the holidays and throughout this past weekend equaled no opportunity to get to the bank and drive to a store, any store, by January seven.


Furthermore, I was too busy to even think about this or become bummed by it...until last night.


And while this little demon of discouragement toyed with my spirit this morning, I read the passage on a friend's page. The man whom I've quoted spent time in federal prison (drug-related), wrote about his recovery, and then showed up at WriteOn Joliet with his manuscript and questions about publishing it.


And BTW, this man also bought Christmas presents (and wrapping paper and tape) for all my grandchildren, present which are now sitting gift-wrapped beneath my Christmas tree, waiting for Thursday.

Here is the quote:


"Time will wash away most of all your footprints here on earth. What you do in love and kindness will be remembered forever. The people that have loved you because of these things will keep you alive much longer than you live. Hope is the essence of life at it's core. The hope of better life for all you love. The hurt you feel when you see your loved ones waste their life's talent. Appreciate the time you have, make the best of it every day." Ralph Carey, Life Wisdom Overcoming Addiction


So while I'm determined to give beautiful presents for my six children and their spouses this year, those presents obviously won't come from a store, unless some miracle occurs. This means, I'm just going to have to get a little creative.

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Week of January 18, 2015

In case you missed the stories I either wrote or edited (the "real" work I do, not the hanging out and about with vampires on weekends), here ya go!


Romeoville boy stars in new WTTW television show for kids

Here's a fun and imaginative way for kids to learn science...and the boy has some tips for child actors, too.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/01/09/romeoville-boy-stars-in-new-wttw-television-show-for-kids/ac78814/


An Extraordinary Life: Morris man was accomplished farrier and fabricator

This man did not grow up on a farm, but he loved horses so much, he set aside other occupations for the one in his heart.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/01/13/an-extraordinary-life-morris-man-was-accomplished-farrier-and-fabricator/au80epo/


Silver Cross Hospital physician explains winter health risks
By Jeanne Millsap

It's not just the snow and ice that can hurt. Read on!

http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/01/16/silver-cross-hospital-physician-explains-winter-health-risks/aggbg9o/


Joliet man publishes book so other addicts can find hope in God
By Jeanne Millsap

Ralph Carey wandered into WriteOn Joliet with a manuscript full of inspiration and encouragement he hoped to publish...and did

http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/01/13/joliet-man-publishes-book-so-other-addicts-can-find-hope-in-god/a8lv5kq/


Two Plainfield boys dance with Chicago BullsKidz
By Sean Leary

These two 11-year-olds have such a commitment to their passion, even adults can learn from them.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2014/12/13/two-plainfield-boys-dance-with-chicago-bullskidz/auuzdzy/