Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Feb. 10 through Feb. 15

Heading into a holiday weekend, so LOTS to do!

Here's the "writerly weather report."

Wrote the first draft of the third "Adventures of Cornell Dyer" book last weekend. Hope to finish that this weekend along with...

Meeting with my editor (Colleen Robbins) for Before the Blood to go over the edits for the third installment. My plans are to incorporate them AND get all of the formatting down over the long weekend so I can start reading through the book to check for errors over the next couple of weeks (I need more time because this book is nearly twice as long as the first BTB installment).

Also, after I meet with Colleen, I have a lesson in calligraphy. THAT'S a story on its own and for another time.

Plus, I'll need to address any lingering work projects, a few home projects, along with recapping our Calkins Day limerick match/slam and meeting with Sue Midlock to plot out a collaborative project (more on that later).

Now, here's where to find information and after that, the stories. 

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): Monday (pets), Tuesday (health), Thursday (faith), Friday (arts and entertainment), and Sunday (people).

 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:

These are listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts.

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at www.bryonyseries.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.

Frankfort man undaunted by injury

Despite a spinal cord injury, Nick Younglove is returning to his former active life.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/06/4c278de5f5a94d6e8ab3f2d3237e7a08/index.xml

An Extraordinary Life: Kay Thomas always said 'yes'

Crest Hill founder was 'the first one standing in line to help out'

"She was one of those selfless people who saw that something needed to be done and did it," Tina said. "She never questioned why it needed to be done or why wasn't someone else hadn't done it. She just did it."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/06/e75d42949ced4cccbb4973bc7150fa9d/index.xml?page=1

Mokena service group connects homeschoolers with people who need their help Missions Possible 

"My husband and I always thought it's very important for our girls to think about other people besides themselves," Amanda Rosenthal said. "So this seemed like a good way to get them involved and thinking about other people."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/12/506b55ad507a4de6bb61ba051d9748a2/index.xml


Having a heart for fitness
Plainfield school promotes a healthy lifestyle with fun events 

Ridge kicks off the three-week program with a huge heart-shaped obstacle course in the gym. Using mats, hoops, ladders, tunnels and bean bags, students in their physical education classes experience the workings of a heart.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/12/0f39c36a40744043afcc89b2a7b943b2/index.xml


Dietitian at Silver Cross Hospital in #NewLenox discusses latest diet trends

Which diet is right for you? What are the pros and cons?

Read on!

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/01/29/bd874c0487ba44a0a0837e111f852768/index.xml


Joliet history is preserved in banknotes
Steve Vesely will display collection at annual coin show on Feb. 24 

But he won't sell anything from that collection. Read on for details about some of the pieces.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/12/05a7181be32740b4bfc61dd8e8b57e0f/index.xml

'The Edge of Middle' by Tom Hernandez

Featured  book review in Tuesday's LocalLit newsletter.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/02/14/d1392a2d22a642c9a105b76d2130976f/index.xml


RECIPES

Double-decker cookies are sure to please 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/13/double-decker-cookies-are-sure-to-please/autx1hb/

For a chocolate dessert that sparkles, turn to edible glitter 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/13/for-a-chocolate-dessert-that-sparkles-turn-to-edible-glitter/ahirenj/

Have a minty, no-bake dessert in minutes with just 3 ingredients

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/13/haev-a-minty-no-bake-dessert-in-minutes-with-just-3-ingredients/akkoapz/


Try this festive twist for this kid friendly dessert 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/13/try-this-festive-twist-for-this-kid-friendly-dessert/ann8h5i/


Need quick no-bake dessert? Try this Valentine's Day bark

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/02/13/need-quick-no-bake-dessert-try-this-valentines-day-bark/ayoeo19/

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

Community News: Jan. 30

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

Local health events: Jan. 30 through Feb. 6 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/01/28/local-health-events-jan-30-through-feb-6/aj2xpsn/

DCFS: ABCs of safe sleep for infants could save a life

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/01/19/dcfs-abcs-of-safe-sleep-for-infants-could-save-a-life/ahj9ohg/

Will County Health Department recommends radon testing this winter 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/01/19/will-county-health-department-recommends-radon-testing-this-winter/acihu6e/

New Lenox hospital honors 500 Club volunteers 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/01/28/new-lenox-hospital-honors-500-club-volunteers/ar9gxlo/

Joliet Catholic Academy to host Tax Credit Scholarship Application Jan. 31 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/01/30/joliet-catholic-academy-to-host-tax-credit-scholarship-application-jan-31/avro72j/

Morris Hospital environmental services associate honored for excellence

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/01/29/morris-hospital-environmental-services-associate-honored-for-excellence/agz8zgx/

59th Annual Will County Coin Club Show is Feb. 25

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/01/30/59th-annual-will-county-coin-club-show-is-feb-25/abtcxgt/

  

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff or @MattCoundiff on Twitter

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Feb. 19 through Feb. 24

So I'm a little surprise to see the amount of stories by me this week, as I backed off on features writing to catch up on news releases and briefs.

I am somewhat caught up but not totally, although by Monday, I do hope to be over the hump. And I also plan to schedule "brief-only" weeks in the future as needed. I don't to be this far behind again.

I'm planning a late-ish night tonight for survival's sake. I have a 12-hour fast ahead of me for some blood work, and I don't do well with fasting. I'm not addicted to food, but anything past eight to ten hours makes me dizzy and disoriented. My appointment isn't until almost 8:30 so I don't want to wake too early, hoping to sleep through most of it. Wish me luck.

My Before the Blood muse kicked in nicely this week. Hope it stays running high through tomorrow.

We had one formatting issue with Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone that we addressed last weekend. We're hoping to (FINALLY) upload the book one last time tomorrow. and get it published already. Wish us luck on this one, too.

Finally, a HUGE THANK YOU to the eight people who responded on Facebook willing to read and review some of my books. Seven now have copies of Bryony (one girl picked hers up in person and left hugging it) and one has Bertrand and the Lucky Clover.

Anyone wishing a free copy of any of my books to review, please message me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

And now, onward to the stories. :)

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. 

Plainfield fitness instructor is teacher, friend cheerleader and advocate for her students' success (VIDEO EXTRA)

Zyrelkis ‘Zee’ Santiago offers more than workouts in her fitness classes

“I was overweight myself. I wasn’t always fit and healthy,” Santiago said. “Actually, I lost 90 pounds seven and a half years ago. And I was a bully victim for many years when I was younger. I always said, ‘One day, I’m going to find a way to raise my voice and inspire other people.’ I just didn’t know how.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/02/16/plainfield-fitness-instructor-is-teacher-friend-cheerleader-and-advocate-for-her-students-success/a5dmznj/

An Extraordinary Life: South Wilmington weekend priest loved his people and they loved him

The Rev. Matthew Mazzuchelli lived a multifaceted life of service

Debbie Wollgast, of Gardner, a lifelong member of St. Lawrence, said she and others appreciated Matthew’s down-to-earth, easy-to-understand homilies.

“When he spoke, it felt like he was sitting there with you over a cup of coffee,” Debbie said. “He spoke almost as if he read your mind and knew what you needed to hear.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/02/16/an-extraordinary-life-south-wilmington-weekend-priest-loved-his-people-and-they-loved-him/a861j26/?page=1

Pets of the Week: Feb. 30

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/2017/02/10/pets-of-the-week-feb-30/amv9fu4/

Mystery Diner: Jody's Hot Dogs offers variety of comfort food in a '50s-style venue

Stepping through the door felt like entering the set of a remake of “Happy Days.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/02/12/mystery-diner-jodys-hot-dogs-offers-variety-of-comfort-food-in-a-50s-style-venue/a9nc1o4/

Will County Coin Club to host 57th Annual Coin Show on Feb. 26

Features include 30 dealers selling a variety of coins and currency, ranging from those of the ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine times to those seen today in the United States and throughout the world.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/02/14/will-county-coin-club-to-host-57th-annual-coin-show-on-feb-26/anckf2y/