Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Oct. 18 through Oct. 24

Good morning!

I have fifteen stories online to share with you today - and more stories will go live over the weekend.

So please check back at shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

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!

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

Oct. 25: Spirits with the Spirits: 5 to 9 p.m. at Black Cat Curiosities, 118 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet and other locations in downtown Joliet. For BryonySeries details, please read Join Us at "Spirits with the Spirits" on Friday.

Oct. 25: BryonySeries Pre-Halloween Book Party: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Book Market in Crest Hill. Pop in anytine before October 25 to decorate one of our crocheted pumpkins (while supplies last, all free, no purchase necessary) and stay to listen to spooky stories, grab a Halloween treat bag (while supplies last), and hear our random winner.

Nov. 8: Local Author Panels: Tips and Tricks to Getting Your Book Published: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Downers Grove Public Library. This event is a series of panel discussions designed to help authors move forward. I will be part of the panel on book marketing, and we will have information about BryonySeries, WriteOn Joliet and B.L.O.C.K.S. This is strictly an information session. No one will be selling that day.

Nov. 22: BryonySeries "Day of Gratitude" at The Book Market: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Book Market in Crest Hill.

Nov. 28: Christmas Market: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Renaisssance Center, 214 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet. This event is part of the Joliet City Center Partnership's "Light Up the Holidays Festival and Parade."

Dec. 4: WriteOn Joliet Anthology Release party: 6 to 8 p.m., Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet. Everything is free at this event unless you buy a book: free chef-created small bites, free photos with Santa, free opportunity to chat with local authors, who will also be selling their books and other products. WriteOn Joliet will also be selling its 2025 anthology, along with all other anthologies from 2017 onward, including its holiday anthology and "cheetah" anthology.

Dec. 20: BryonySeries "A Gift of Reading" Christmas Party, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Book Market in Crest Hill.

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 stalled until Timothy finished his master's degree, which he did. So now we just have to stop having family emergencies (they just keep coming) and carve some time for a Cornell breakfast (it's been three years since our last one, way, way too long). I'm had surgery July 17 and that further stalled the process. But I'd love to give Sue Midlock ideas for art (she illustrates all the Cornell books), especially since she's actually eager to get drawing.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and the first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world last year, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects...and I'm still letting it (overall) slide, I'm afraid. But I'm hoping we release it early 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.

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

Channahon couple creates app for neurodivergent families to connect

‘We wanted to create a safe place for these families, and I really think we did that,’ father and app developer said

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/23/channahon-couple-creates-app-for-neurodivergent-families-to-connect/

Juvenile killed after being struck by semi truck along I-80 near Morris

https://www.shawlocal.com/morris-herald-news/2025/10/20/i-80-near-morris-closed-for-illinois-state-police-investigation/

‘What is Joliet to you?’: Artist engaging with residents for involvement on downtown sculpture design

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/19/shaping-the-final-design-dome-of-unity-artist-shares-artistic-process-at-saturday-workshop/

Joliet Chamber seeking Great Teacher Award nominees

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/19/joliet-chamber-seeking-great-teacher-award-nominees/

Permanent make-up company opens in Shorewood

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/18/permanent-make-up-company-opens-in-shorewood/

Joliet entrepreneurs can enter the ‘Big Pitch’ competition

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/17/joliet-entrepreneurs-can-enter-the-big-pitch-competition/

Joliet restaurant group honors Will County nonprofits

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/18/joliet-restaurant-group-honors-will-county-nonprofits/

Joliet Catholic church hosting ‘handling grief’ program

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/24/joliet-catholic-church-hosting-handling-grief-program/

Joliet thrift store closes

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/22/joliet-thrift-store-closes/

Joliet Chamber to host ‘Spirits with the Spirits’ on Friday

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/22/joliet-chamber-to-host-spirits-with-the-spirits-on-friday/

Hall of Famer Frank Thomas greets fans at Joliet cigar lounge grand opening

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/17/hall-of-famer-frank-thomas-greets-fans-at-joliet-cigar-lounge-grand-opening/

Joliet event raises awareness for breast cancer, mental health through art

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/19/joliet-event-raises-awareness-for-breast-cancer-mental-health-through-art/

Joliet hospice guild to host 36th annual holiday fundraiser

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/20/joliet-hospice-guild-to-host-36th-annual-holiday-fundraiser/

Silver Cross Hospital breaks ground on Lemont health center

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/16/silver-cross-hospital-breaks-ground-on-lemont-health-center/

Will County Pets of the Week: Oct. 20, 2025

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/10/20/will-county-pets-of-the-week-oct-20-2025/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Goodbye, Theodora

About a month ago, Daniel brought his Teddy Bear hamster, Theodora, up to my office So I could help him clean her eyes.

They were all "gunky" and that never happened with her.

So I swabbed the little eyes with a moistened cotton swab until she could open then. And right after work the next day, Daniel drove her to an animal hospital that saw exotics. 

The drive should have taken about forty minutes. But it was now rush hour. The animal hospital was also first-come, first-serve and not by appointment.

He waited a couple of hours and was told to come back the next day. So while he was still on the road, I started calling for other options.

It turned out Plainfield Animal Hospital DID see exotics (we didn't know that), but only on days when a special veterinarian was onsite. And today was the day!

Unfortunately, the exotic veterinarian was leaving in twenty minutes. Could Daniel get there on time?

I called Daniel. He thought thirty was more reasonable. 

So I called Plainfield Animal Hospital again. And I was told they could make thirty minutes work.

Daniel arrived forty minutes later... and found the veterinarian had waited for him.

The veterinarian had good news.

All of Theodora's vitals were excellent. So the veterinarian prescribed an antibiotic just in case. She said Theodora might need blood work to rule out kidney failure (apparently common in hamsters) if Theodora did not improve.

Daniel took Theodora home, gave her the first dose, and rewarded her with a sliver of broccoli.

However, Theodora did not improve.

Nor she did not get worse...at first.

She handled the antibiotic well. The discharge in her eyes lessened. 

But then she started to swell.

Daniel thought maybe she gained weight because some of her activity had lessened. He had brought her home at five months, and she was now two years old. That's pretty old for a hamster, actually.

If you think about it, she's enjoyed not one, but two Christmases with us.

Theodora finished the antibiotic. The next day, the discharge in her eyes returned. at full force.

So Daniel took her back to the first animal hospital early in the day and waited to be seen. That veterinarian also had good news for us.

Theodora's vitals were still great. So the veterinarian prescribed another antibiotic and agreed she should have tests to rule out kidney failure if this antibiotic didn't fix the problem.

And it didn't. 

But the swelling went away.

In the meantime, Theodora still loved her broccoli. She still did hamster things. 

But she did them more slowly, less often.

Theodora also neglected her grooming. 

On Saturday, Daniel and Rebekah took Theodora to a different animal hospital, one that specialized in hamsters. This drive was an hour away.

Theodora was sedated for blood and urine tests and some imaging. 

The diagnosis? A urinary tract infection. 

So she was hospitalized for forty-eight hours with supplemental oxygen and IV antibiotics. The positive news was that her vitals were still good, and she was not septic, amazing considering the stubbornness of the infection.

The plan was this. If she improved, Daniel would pick her up after work on Monday and take her home.

However, if Theodora did not improve, well, it was time for a different conversation.

Rebekah asked what I thought. 

Well, I thought the fact Theodora had good vitals and wasn't septic were good signs.

However, the fact she had a UTI that two antibiotics designed to combat UTIs didn't cure was very worrisome.

So I was fifty-fifty.

But we were in luck again. On Sunday the animal hospital called to say Theodora had improved slightly. 

Hurray! It felt just like Christmas!

The holiday feeling was short-lived.

Early on Monday morning, the animal hospital called Daniel again. Theodora had passed during the night.

The results of her imaging had also returned. Theodora actually had a tumor in one of her kidneys, most like the cause of all her trouble.

Daniel made cremation arrangements through that hospital and had a paw print made. Theodora will come home to us in two weeks in a much different form than when she left just three days ago.

We are heartbroken.

And we are heartbroken not just because we have, in less than a year, acquired quite a bit of urns in our house.

Frances.

My father.

Ron.

And now Theodora.

Not to mention we had another death in the family just a couple of weeks ago.

And let's not forget Faith is still on palliative care with small cell lymphoma.

I mean, those are all good reasons to be heartbroken.

But we are now also heartbroken because this tiny creature, who pitter-pattered her teeny feet into our home and into our hearts, is now gone.

And her passing has left a hole bigger than the wall-to-wall contraption in Daniel's room where she lived.

I'm sure Theodora's soul has scampered away to the place where all good hamster souls go.

But I hope, as she forever eats through fields of broccoli unconfined by rolling hamster balls, she pauses from time to time and remembers the human family that loved her to the end.