Showing posts with label Zonta Club of Joliet. Show all posts

Friday, May 22, 2026

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, May 16 through May 21

Good morning!

I have seven stories online to share with you today, with more stories likely going live over the weekend. So please check back at shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

In addition, I have seven "Everyday Hero" stories below those.

To see the stories that ran in print this week and aren't online yet, click on the e-edition option at the top of The Herald-News website.

Before the stories, I also have a list of additional updates, resources, and information. Please check them out, too.

And if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.

And have a great Friday!

Calendar

The BryonySeries calendar offers links to games, crafts, music, activities, science experiments, and recipes that pick up themes to one or more of our books.

To participate, visit bryonyseries.com/ourcalendar.

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries) - so far:

June 27: "Presentation 101: An Overview for Authors Entering the Industry" 1 p.m., Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St. Joliet.

July 3: Joliet Eve of Independence: America 250 Fireworks and Celebration: 6 to 10 p.m., Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park & Theatre, 201 W. Jefferson St., Joliet. Live music, food vendors, and children’s activities by B.L.O.CK.S., the BryonySeries umbrella brand. B.L.O.C.K.S. will also have limited giveaways of BryonySeries books for all ages and WriteOn Joliet's upcoming "Shoe" anthology. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Aug. 1: Kid Fest: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., City Square, Downtown Joliet. For the third year in a row, WriteOn Joliet will have a tent at the annual Kidz Fest celebration. Write your own story with our unique, one-of-a-kind, made-just-for-us story manipulable story blocks. And be sure to pick up one (or more) WriteOn Joliet-authored books (titles for all ages), which we will distribute for free.

In addition, please check out our books by popping into The Book Market in Crest Hill (if you live in the area) or bookshop.org or Amazon if you don't.

Also, many titles are available at the Joliet Public Library and the Downers Grove Public Library.

Please note: Bookshop and the libraries do not carry all of our books.

And if you missed it, please check out the "Shades of Noir" photos.

What is the BryonySeries?

Please read "Books of the BryonySeries: A Quick Overview"

For more information on the developing "parent brand" that is removing some of the heavy marketing lifting from me, visit bryonyseries.com/blocks.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. At some point, we will assemble and release some more.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur.") is finally begun, although albeit very slowly. I'd like to get enough done over the next month or so to finally give Sue Midlock (our artist for The Adventures of Cornell Dyer) some ideas for the book's cover and chapter heading illustrations.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and four chapters are written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright has finished the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects. But the goal is to release "Brainy Ann" in 2026.

Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for "Lycanthropic Summer."

Other books: I am not writing a novel this year. But I have an idea for a BryonySeries Christmas anthology that I'd like to release in 2026. We also have a prologue/first chapter sampler of all the BryonySeries novels and an novel excerpt (so far) that's only available at certain events.

Rebekah is also slowly (very, very slowly) updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.

For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.

Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.

Check out the weekly 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 and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every 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 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 haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.
BryonySeries stuff: I used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.
Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.
And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.
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
Suspected hantavirus case in Illinois resident tests
negative
https://www.shawlocal.com/news/2026/05/19/suspected-hantavirus-case-in-illinois-resident-tests-negative/
Plainfield District 202 contracts new food service
provider
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/plainfield-district-202-contracts-new-food-service-provider/
Shorewood reviewing apartment building, commercial
development plan along Black Road
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/16/shorewood-considering-proposal-for-apartment-building-commercial-development-along-black-road/
Joliet Latino business group hosts hiring workshop for
small businesses
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/17/joliet-latino-business-group-hosts-hiring-workshop-for-small-businesses/
Zonta Joliet recognizes local women with awards
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/16/zonta-joliet-recognizes-local-women-with-awards/
Online master gardener training available for Will,
Grundy and Kankakee residents
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/online-master-gardener-training-available-for-will-grundy-and-kankakee-residents/
Will County Pets of the Week: May 18, 2026
Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption




























https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/18/will-county-pets-of-the-week-may-18-2026/
EVERYDAY HEROES
Everyday Hero: Joliet foster care superheroes battle their own health challenges
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/joliet-foster-care-superheroes-battle-their-own-health-challenges
Everyday Hero: Joliet foster grandparent has volunteered almost 20,000 hours and ‘goes above and beyond with the children’
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/joliet-foster-grandparent-has-volunteered-almost-20000-hours-and-goes-above-and-beyond-with-the-children/
Everyday Hero: Longtime Joliet District 86 clerical aide said she tried to ‘always be helpful
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/everyday-hero-longtime-joliet-district-86-clerical-aide-said-she-tried-to-always-be-helpful/
Everyday Hero: Joliet grassroots community activist makes low-income seniors feel like superstars
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/joliet-grassroots-community-activist-makes-low-income-seniors-feel-like-superstars/
Everyday Hero: Paraprofessional at Plainfield District 202 brightens lives of veterans and military members
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/paraprofessional-at-plainfield-district-202-brightens-lives-of-veterans-and-military-members/
Everyday Hero: Coal City woman with disability puts others with disabilities ahead of herself
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/coal-city-woman-with-disability-puts-others-with-disabilities-ahead-of-herself/
Everyday Hero: Fairmont cafeteria manager ‘goes above and beyond to enrich the school environment’
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/05/14/fairmont-cafeteria-manager-goes-above-and-beyond-to-enrich-the-school-environment/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Friday, February 2, 2024

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Jan.27 to Feb. 2

Good morning!

I have ten news and features stories to share with you this week. But more will be posted over this weekend, especially with me working this weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

I am thrilled to report that "The Fifth," the second novel by Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, is now live on Amazon and available for purchase.

We did order copies for the 2024 Calkins Day celebration on Feb. 13. And we're hoping they will arrive in time. Please hope with us!

If you're new to the BryonySeries and this blog, here is a post that with links that explains Calkins Day.

Other BryonySeries book updates:

House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book and four chapters and a prologue that are ready for final edits. We are estimating a late 2024 release date.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy said the next book will be slightly dark ("slightly" because it's for kids, too) and will involve an old toy store. We are also working on the last book in the series (but it's not the final book, if that makes sense). Timothy is actually writing that one. We had a tentative "Cornell breakfast" scheduled for last weekend, which didn't happen. We are trying again for next weekend. We've scheduled and broke several in 2023. Our last one was July 2022. So we are LONG overdue.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and ready for some serious writing in 2024. I wrote one chapter this past weekend and hope for a second this weekend. Jennifer Wainwright has already started working on the cover portrait. That one is called "Brainy Ann."

Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for Lycanthropic Summer.

A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods: A rather unusual, poetic novella in the second person. Three-fourths of it is written and edited and another fourth is in the developmental stage. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover. We are estimating a mid-2024 release date.

Rebekah is also slowly updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.

Now back to The Herald-News stories 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 Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.

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 and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every 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 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 haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.

Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.

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

‘A place I need to be’ says Joliet MorningStar Mission’s new development director: Erin Shade, MorningStar Mission: ‘You can’t thank enough times’

Joliet Zonta honoring Amirrah Abou-Youssef at Mardi Gras fundraiser: Pat Perrier of Joliet Zonta: ‘She has done some extraordinary work’

Channahon mom creates care packages for NICU babies: Kristina Lowman: ‘It grew more than I ever imagined’

Shorewood custom T-shirt company Big Frog celebrates 10years: Gail Girard, owner: ‘Along the way, I have met some absolutely wonderful people’

Joliet Rialto announces movie lineup for 2024: Tickets go on sale Jan. 29

Silver Cross New Lenox gets a No.1 ranking for surgical care: Healthgrades evaluates hospitals solely on patient outcomes

Companions sought for homebound seniors in Will, Grundy counties: Volunteers provide companionship only

Joliet District 204 to host 8th grade information night Wednesday: Resources tables with school and community information also will be available.

Pets of the Week: Jan. 29, 2024: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

The Local Scene: Will County Stamp Show: Here are 5 things to do this weekend

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Friday, June 16, 2023

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, June 10 to June 16

Good morning!

Today I have eleven features and news stories to share with you today. More stories may be posted over the weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

Also you missed my stories for The Herald-News' "Thank You, Teachers" edition on May 4, links are available at the very bottom of this post.

Taking today and Tuesday off from work since we have my father's Celebration of Life on Saturday and Ron's Celebration of Life the following Saturday. We have a few family members from out-of-town who came into town last night. So the focus the next few days will be family.

On another note, if you're a writer, want to be a writer, or know someone in the Will/Grundy counties area that fits that description, be sure to check out this event. It's free but seating is limited and registration is required.

Here's a recap of other my other writing projects:

On Wednesday evening, three members of WriteOn Joliet hung out in the digital media center at the downtown branch of the Joliet Public Library to edit the radio play we presented at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet on April 22.

We learned that recording and editing a radio play is very different from performing one (more on that later). A few of us will go back into the studio in two weeks to edit some more. I'm super excited!

And in the BryonySeries world:

House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book and one chapter ready to edit.

Cornell Dyer and the Howls of Basketville: The next book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer subseries is ready for production - after the Fourth of July. Rebekah will be traveling and then she's taking a few days off. We can't wait to release it into the hands of readers.

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.

Karla Joins In: The fourth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries series. Seven chapters are completed. I'm hoping to write the eighth on Sunday. But we shall see.

BryonySeries reference/guide book: Welcome to Munsonville: the People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries. I'd love to have this one ready by the end of the year. Pecking slowly at it.

A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods: A rather unusual, poetic novella in the second person. Half of it is written and edited and another half is loosely written. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover.

Rebekah is also slowly updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do 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 Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.

Check out the recipe here.

WRITERS

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 food bank welcomes Indiana man walking across U.S. to end hunger: Steve Harold, food bank: ‘I loved to hear his appreciation of our volunteers here’

Zonta Club of Joliet Area honors #Plainfield librarian for service: Bonnie Winfrey, Joliet Zonta president: ' She’s the kind of person you want to have on a winning team’

Joliet theater family ‘coming full circle’ with upcoming musical ‘Godspell’: Performances will be held the next 2 weekends at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre

Crest Hill minifigs store helping with LEGO-focused convention in Schaumburg this weekend: Brickworld Chicago is a LEGO-approved adult brick show that ‘happens all over the country'

Joliet museum to host Juneteenth event on June 19: Toni Greathouse: ‘We as Americans have so many things to be proud of, thing we have in common’

Wilmington artist painting mural outside Diamond restaurant: The Whistle Stop Café is very kid-friendly, and the mural reflects it

Lemont kicked off 150th anniversary celebration with proclamation, dedication of Village Green park: Lemont Mayor and State Rep. John Egofske: ‘Lemont, as we all know, is truly a special place’

Lockport’s Old Canal Days ‘attracts thousands of residents and visitors from all over the state’: The summer festival culminated with fireworks

Shorewood senior and 6-year-old play piano duet at retirement community: Amy Odell, Timbers of Shorewood activities director: ‘It was very moving’

Pets of the Week: June 12, 2023: Will County Rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

5 Things to do in Will County: Experience art Friday night Waywards Open Haus in Joliet: Plus 4 more suggestions for enjoying your weekend

THANK YOU, TEACHERS

Joliet Central special needs teacher visits and raises money for orphans in Uganda: Assistant vice principal: ‘She’s remarkable, so full of love’

Plainfield’s District 202 director of student services committed to students’ social emotional health: ‘He has really been a leader and he will continue to keep it at the forefront for all of us’

Associate professor at Lewis University in Romeoville is a role model for future special education teachers: Jennifer Buss: ‘My goal was just to provide more doors being opened’

Joliet’s District 86 hires its first French bilingual English language resource specialist: Kira Cloonan: ‘Once I found out this job was available, I just had to try for it’

Lincoln-Way West social worker ‘just lifts everyone’: Chrissy Hack promotes social-emotional health wherever she can

District 86 teacher shares her Colombian culture in Joliet classroom: Teacher Jenny Cuesta Hernandez said her Sator Sanchez students love learning new songs and games

Valley View special education teacher has taught every grade in 30-year career: Jennifer Foster ‘helps to build the whole child’

Troy ELA teacher brings language to life for her students: Jennifer Lowe: ‘I so love getting kids up on their feet and getting them to engage’

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Friday, March 18, 2022

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, March 12 to March 19

Good morning!

I have seventeen feature stories to share with you today and about a dozen not posted yet. So do check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

On the fiction front, I'm still making nice progress on Call of the Siren. I have all but four chapters edited, and I hope to have at least one more in good shape by the end of the weekend.

Call of the Siren is the second book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy). I'm anticipating a late spring publication date, with gorgeous cover art by Nancy Calkins.

We plan to release Cornell Dyer and the Calcium Deficient Bones and Cornell Dyer and the "Mistical" Being very soon. Both Rebekah and our artist Sue Midlock have gone through health issues this past year, which has caused publication delays. 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. He and I just need our time off schedules to sync.

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 Baran 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 seventeen 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.

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 at @BryonySeries. And assorted related content at facebook.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

Celebrate the 500th anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines with Mass on March 12: Bishop Ron Hicks will celebrate the anniversary Mass at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus in Joliet.

32-page illustrated booklet lists bird species reported at Midewin: Booklet will help the Midewin staff manage and protect the grassland bird area

Morris Hospital honors Randy Kiefling as its Fire Starter of the Month for February: Randy Kiefling is known as the ‘go-to-guy’ at Morris Hospital

Register by March 14 for youth poetry slam at Joliet Historical Museum: Youth may win 1 of 2 $500 prizes at the poetry slam April 10 in Joliet.

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Wilmington invites community to virtual listening session: Midewin wants public input on the future of recreation at the prairie.

CITGO Lemont Refinery donates $7,500 Greater Joliet Area YMCA: The donation will help support the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund.

5 Things to do in Will County: Musical events, full moon hike, craft fair: Plus, Lewis University in Romeoville hosting 3rd generation printmaker Benjamin Calvert.

Mystery Diner in Joliet: Great American Bagel goes green for St. Patrick’s: Specialty green bagel with Irish cheddar cheese served through March 17

Will County Humane Society to host annual Fur Ball on May 20: Individual, double seating and table pricing for the event at Harrah’s Joliet.

Pets of the Week: March 14: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption.

An Extraordinary Life: Joliet man served 2 branches of military, raised 3 families: Merle Widner taught ‘morals and values’ and ‘how to have an open mind’

The Zonta Club of the Joliet Area will host a traveling film festival on March 29: Women wrote, directed and produced the 8 films in LUNAFEST.

Channahon resident using his EMT training 3 feet from Ukraine border: Ryan Chocholek: ‘I quit my job to come here because this is where people needed help.’

Troy Township to host ‘Avoiding Home Repair Scams’ on April 21: Learn tips for making informed choices when hiring contractors

New outpatient treatment center in Mokena offers traditional, alternative therapies: Mindset Transformations is licensed by the state of Illinois to offer outpatient substance abuse treatment.

Troy Township offering Mobile Driver Services Unit and I-Cash on April 12: Registration for the Rules of the Road Review course is required.

‘Luck of the Irish’ won’t save drunk drivers from DUIs: The Illinois State Police and local law enforcement are conducting roadside safety checks through March 18.

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Around the Community

Few people would argue that 2020 has been a tumultuous year.

And yet, despite 2020's effort to crush us, people still rise above the craziness and do great things.

Here are a few of them over the past couple weeks that I've posted as part of my role with The Herald-News.

May each and every one of you have a blessed and joyous day today.

Bishop Roger L. Kaffer Outstanding Principal Award presented to Lockport principal

D. 202 in Plainfield seeks community input for new 5-year strategic plan

Virtual film festival to benefited JJC scholarship fund

Troy 30-C teacher recognized for excellence in music education

'Deconstructing Stereotypes' exhibit on loan through Dec. 6 at Romeoville museum #IndigenousPeople Native Americans

ALDI to open store in Shorewood Nov. 12

Bolingbrook Golf Club recognized for environmental excellence

Zonta Club of the Joliet Area honors Dick and Millie Schuster

D. 202 in Plainfield is distributing 6,700 laptops to PreK-3 students for remote learning

American Red Cross of the Illinois River Valley welcomes new board members

Lockport Chamber seeks candidates to fill open board seats

Top Driver to hosted Illinois Driver Ed 101 webinar for parents

Partial closure in place for part of Channahon Community Park

Troy teachers adapt to new technology for hybrid teaching of students

Illustration by Christopher Gleason for "Staked!"

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Community News: Feb. 12 and Feb. 13, 2020

Check out 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.

Illustration by Christopher Gleason for "Staked!" Follow him at artworkbytopher.com.

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

New Opportunities

The last few weeks, seemingly out of nowhere, a number of new opportunities knocked on my door.

A few have happened within my family and will stay there.

But several others involve sharing on my part, so I'm sharing here.

First of all, I'm thankful for my sister Karen at the Downers Grove Library for connecting me with VampCon Chicago, even though it was canceled at the last minute.

It still led to covering a Skype story with Bram Stoker descendant Dacre Stoker, which was tons of fun, considering my love for the vampire genre in general and Dracula in particular.

And then a fellow writer, whom I've not (yet) met (she runs the group

"All Things Literary, Grammar and Writing" on Facebook), asked me to reach out to the owner of Audiophil's Records in Joliet to participate in the store's first "Panic in the Plaza" event at the end of this month, which has greatly consoled me over the loss of VampCon.

But first, WriteOn Joliet will participate in its first group author fest at the White Oak Library in Crest Hill, thanks to my co-leader and local celebrity Tom Hernandez for suggesting it. I had participated in the fest twice just as BryonySeries, but it's WriteOn Joliet's first time at an author fest as a group.

And then the following Wednesday, I will participate in a small "speed networking" event for the teen members Fearless Females, a unique partnership between Joliet Central High School and the Zonta Club of Joliet. The very gracious invitation was waiting for me on bleary morning when I signed into my email, which woke me up better than my dark roast coffee.

At the beginning of November, I will participate in a career fair at St. Dennis School in Lockport, the invitation that started the slew of blessings.

Finally, I was invited to appear on this podcast, which will air (hopefully) in time to promote WriteOn Joliet's third annual anthology release party on Nov. 15 at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

Every one of these opportunities is a very different opportunity to share various aspects of my writings from various angles.

And this morning, when every sentence I'm writing is interspersed with a yawn (the silent scream for more coffee, right?), I'm very humbled that each of these people felt I had something valuable to share, and I pray that I live up to the expectations when each of the times arrive.

Have a most blessed day: readers, writers, and BryonySeries fans.

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Community News: Sept. 26, 2019

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

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Community News: Feb. 6, 2019

Check out upcoming events 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.

Illustration by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Friday, August 10, 2018

Community News: Aug. 10, 2018

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

Local arts and entertainment Aug. 10 through Aug. 17

http://www.theheraldnews.com/articles/2018/08/09/b4bdadb55c864c9db53ad1214141aa56/index.xml

IDOT's continues strategic roadside mowing to conserve monarchs

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/09/idots-continues-strategic-roadside-mowing-to-conserve-monarchs/abwmyr4/

Silver Cross Encore Shop in New Lenox plans Autumn Showcase

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/10/silver-cross-encore-shop-in-new-lenox-plans-autumn-showcase/amfd74x/

'Plant the Seed' to hold introductory meeting

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/10/plant-the-seed-to-hold-introductory-meeting/aebi2ye/

Plainfield students perform in New York

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/10/plainfield-students-perform-in-new-york/aay3njg/

Around Town: The Mansard Room in Rockdale

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/10/around-town-the-mansard-room-in-rockdale/apttqn1/

D. 202 students in Plainfield study and release butterflies

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/10/d-202-students-in-plainfield-study-and-release-butterflies/aozukl4/

Tickets on sale for Zonta Club of Joliet Festival of Culture

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/10/tickets-on-sale-for-zonta-club-of-joliet-festival-of-culture/aw947f6/

Cancer Support Center to host 27th Annual Golf Outing

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/10/cancer-support-center-to-host-27th-annual-golf-outing/acw2b1t/

Lockport Township Class of 1968 to host 50th class reunion

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/10/lockport-township-class-of-1968-to-host-50th-class-reunion/a18qmgx/

Check out the following 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 Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff