Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, April 29 to May 5

Good morning!

Today I have just twenty-one features and news stories to share with you today, which includes eight "Thank You, Teacher" I wrote in the background over the last few weeks.

More stories will be posted over the weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

Last Saturday WriteOn Joliet presented its first presentation of original readings in a radio-style format at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theater. In June, we will record an audio version of that show.

And if you missed it the first time around, you may get another opportunity. I will keep you posted.

Here is a recap of my BryonySeries projects so far.

House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book. The heaviest and most difficult part of the book is done. Hurray!

Cornell Dyer and the Howls of Basketville: The next book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer subseries. Timothy and I drafted it months ago, and I currently have five solid chapters. Sue Midlock has already sent all the interior and cover. As always, the art is amazing and perfect for the series.

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. Three chapters are completed and a fourth chapter is in a very rough draft.

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. A fourth of it is written and edited, another third on top of that is loosely written. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover.

Rebekah is also slowly updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts, so 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'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 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 civil engineer builds her own pathway to success: Former IDOT employee starts own consulting firm

Minooka middle school students held mobile food pantry on Saturday: Lexi Guerrero: ‘It’s fun to talk with friends and help people you know need help’

Lockport teen athlete died weeks after brain cancer diagnosis. Saturday’s fundraiser aims to fight back: Connor Christian’s legacy lives on through a foundation in his name 

Romeoville university hosted Special Olympics plane pull on Saturday: ‘We love Lewis and we’re excited to be raising money for these athletes’

New Lenox Trinity Services staff member receives award: Trinity Services, Inc. is a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization that was founded in 1950 

Halfway to Halloween comes to Old Joliet Haunted Prison May 12 and May 13: Sign up for Fright Club for early access and promotions 

No one injured in car fire at #Joliet business on Sunday morning 

Joliet police officer stabbed in stomach while conducting welfare check

Joliet Township High School recognized for excellence in financial reporting: This was JTHS’ 36th year of participating in this program 

Joliet university students create paint night for Timbers of Shorewood residents: Amy Odell: ‘The USF students ran a wonderful interactive project.’

Sign up now for Joliet Kiwanis’ ‘Team Trivia’ event on May 21: Event sponsorships are available

Joliet Noon Lions recycling projects benefit sight, hearing projects: Items were sent to the Lions of Illinois Foundation

Pets of the Week: May 1, 2023: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption 

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"

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 24 through Dec. 29

One more week of holiday deadlines culminating in working the holiday and then a little time off the following weekend for our family's Christmas and Rebekah's birthday, followed by a day off a week later in honor of my anniversary with the company (going into my fifth year, how about it?).

A quick look ahead: I do have several events scheduled into 2018 and will share those here soon. If you'd like a sneak peak, visit the Fetes and Feasts page at www.bryonyseries.com and the events page at www.facebook.com/BryonySeries.

Also in 2018, I'll be starting a newsletter. I'm giving away the first chapter of one of the books in the Before the Blood prequel as a "thank you" for signing up. Want to be included? Drop me a line at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

And some quick information before 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 in 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.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Channahon man has an answer for those with hurting hearts

Last spring, Brian Birkey stepped out in faith and sent one of his poems to The Herald-News, hoping someone would publish it, saying it would “be a dream come true.” This why.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/12/15/channahon-man-has-an-answer-for-those-with-hurting-hearts/ama5hsv/

'That spells Christmas to me'

Three weeks ago, Bobby, who has autism, told his parents Robert and Nora Thiesen that he planned on keeping only one present from Santa this year, that he wanted poor children and sick children in hospitals to have the rest.

"I wanted to do this," Bobby said, "Because all these kids don't have any toys."

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/12/22/e76c4ded7fb54897ab9bd235de2bcc65/index.xml?page=1

Born on Christmas Day, Karl Henning of Joliet had unlimited love for all people

"I rubbed some water on his head," said Eric Postulek, pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in Joliet, where Karl belonged. "Two or three hours later, he went to be with the Lord."

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/12/23/409da6fc6f894144961a92d094001ad7/index.xml

Pets of the Week

Read the caption of each photo to find out about that pet, including where he or she can be adopted.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/12/16/6465161bd8674fe49d364954c808521a/index.xml

Joliet experts help Santa get fit with routines for seniors

In an email, Matt Mickas, certified strength and conditioning specialist at facility manager at Athletico Joliet, explained why.

“Santa has the challenging task of delivering presents to families across the whole world in one night,” Mickas wrote, “which puts his body at risk for overuse injuries and could prevent him from making next year’s Christmas deliveries.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/12/23/joliet-experts-help-santa-get-fit-with-routines-for-seniors/atmmceh/

Public Landing in Lockport: quality comfort food and premium service in an upscale atmosphere

The Public Landing website said this about itself: "Located on the old I&M Canal in the historic district of downtown Lockport, our family of service professionals bring their combined knowledge, talent, and hearts to ensure a memorable dining experience for each and every guest."

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/12/18/b62c331eb4b442c180016ab9754d0779/index.xml

Good reasons to pray

Earlier this month, the media reported that a new drug, although in the early clinical trial stages, just might slow the disease’s progression.

Unfortunately, Beverly Sliepka won’t live to see it and her family isn’t expecting it, even if I prayed 100 times for that miracle.

So why pray?

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/12/26/good-reasons-to-pray/a4nzn90/

Looking ahead to the new year

Lots of fun planned in Will, Grundy counties

Post-holiday blues already getting you down? Spirits feeling as droopy as old tinsel?

Take heart. The fun hasn’t ended; it’s only beginning. Check out some of what the area’s venues have in store the January.

 http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/12/23/looking-ahead-to-the-new-year/acfo8i3

Artworks: Illness doesn't stop Seneca senior from writing poetry

Now 85 years old, Burden, of Seneca, estimates he's written 200 poems over the years. He wrote a poem when his daughter was born, and he's written poems to honor people he admires and the work they do.

"It's an old man's way of saying 'Thank you' to a lot of people," Burden said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/12/28/4c2745c82be64f9bb4a9b767a0d00d2f/index.xml?page=1

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, July 9 through July 21

Last Friday I was off in fiction land, so this is a two-week recap of stories only for two reasons.

I'm gradually recapping the time off in future posts.

And I'm recovering from dehydration on a busy Friday, which I'll explain in another post.

So here's what ran:

Local events: Health, faith, and arts and entertainment calendars: where to find them? Under the sections tab on the left hand side of http://www.theherald-news.com/. Click on "features" and the topics drop down. Assembled by moi.

More local events: Gotta Do It, also by me, runs each Sunday in the People section.

Community news: Again, under the sections tab, under features, and by topic. Updates are posted on these days in print and web and in web on other days as I have the time: Monday (pets), Tuesday (health), Thursday (faith), Friday (arts and entertainment), and Sunday (people).

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.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. Your support is greatly appreciated.

New mentor program in Will County changes young adult lives

By Megan Schuller

Vanessa Manriques, 33, is a special education teacher for District 202 in Plainfield by day and a mentor by night. She mentors one young woman who had low self esteem.

“I tell them to live outside their comfort zone. I grew up in that comfort zone, so I tell them to live their dreams, educate themselves and don’t stay in that box,” Manriques said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/07/05/new-mentor-program-in-will-county-changes-young-adult-lives/ah9zwnf/

An Extraordinary Life: Peter McBride graduated from JTHS and became a prominent architect

Submitted report

McBride managed many projects costing over $100 million, secured additional commissions from most clients, and managed projects in such countries as Iran, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/07/03/an-extraordinary-life-peter-mcbride-graduated-from-jths-and-became-a-prominent-architect/adftf4t/

Pets of the Week: July 10

Read the caption of each photo to find out about that pet, including where he or she can be adopted.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/07/03/670a046fecec48a082cd2013713ae1a9/index.xml

Ready Set Ride faces uncertain future: 80 families depend on its therapeutic horseback riding program

By Megan Schuller

In addition to riding, the children play games and do exercises on the horses. Lisa Afshari, director of Ready Set Ride, said the children smile as they ride, and they have a good time.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/07/10/5d516a4155f94cb686f4feb6707dfdb1/index.xml

Mystery Diner: Capri Sogno brings old-world flavors in contemporary dishes

We had plenty of time to scan the menu, which had more selections than the online version. The online version also didn't list prices for any food items. This added to the intrigue and culinary adventure awaiting us.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/07/10/d85d78995c874ce2844849e80a8d8fd8/index.xml

Fellowship, fun and faith

Joliet Christian Women’s Club provides all three

The Joliet Christian Women’s Club ministers to the entire woman.

“It really shows me women of faith coming together – of all different denominations – and what their lives are really about,” Marilyn Garapolo said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/07/10/fellowship-fun-and-faith/ahin2aj/

Joliet Public Library breathes new life into summer reading program

Reading is as relevant as ever – yes, even in the 21st century. Except now one can read, and participate in the Joliet Public Library's summer reading program, without ever picking up a physical book, Mallory Hewlett said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/07/11/1b8ec4f656b041c3a27042cff2a4f8bf/index.xml

Artworks: Joliet Star Wars fan using his creative force for upcoming trading card set

He's an official artist on Topps' upcoming Star Wars Masterwork card set. Contractually, King can't speak to "what kind" and "quantity" until after Topps releases the set. But King could say he has an August deadline."

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/07/11/7ee4a392477d42a7b4b44964712c2590/index.xml?page=1

Morris woman runs her own fundraising to help March of Dimes

Kathy Carey has walked miles, created and sold cookbooks, and solicited items to sell at her annual garage sales. Every dime Carey gets goes to March of Dimes.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/07/10/kathy-carey-runs-her-own-fundraising-to-help-march-of-dimes/avl07p2/

Pets of the Week: July 17

Read the caption of each photo to find out about that pet, including where he or she can be adopted.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/07/10/e444f0283c444b89aa3093fd1d649389/index.xml

The ride of their lives: Ride to Cure FA raises money for rare genetic disease

By Jessica Spanger

One of the first things someone with Friedreich’s ataxia notices when they start to show symptoms is trouble walking, or difficulty with coordination and balance.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/07/10/the-ride-of-their-lives/aq58jbe/

Mystery Diner: Habanero's has a full menu of spicy and fun options

With an eight-page menu, there's plenty to choose from. There's an entire column, each, for chimichangas, burritos, enchiladas, vegetarian options, seafood, dinner plates, house specials and lunch specials or breakfast.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/07/18/1dc160d6f08242cdb5bd7890a4a41efb/index.xml

Mystery Diner: Big servings for big appetites at Joliet's Wild Horse

This is a story about how I ended up with four plates in front of me at the bar of a local restaurant.

And, before you get ahead of yourself, I directly asked for it.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/07/18/11db8ae8af2142a59cc1c534219bc581/index.xml

Eastern Orthodox Chapel honors patron saint with grave blessings

By Jessica Spangler

July 13 was the saint's birthday, and in honor of him, Rev. Andrew Harrison and other members of the newly named St. John's Chapel performed a grave blessing on Sunday in Streator. St. John Kochurov helped establish Three Saints Orthodox Church in Streator, Harrison said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/07/19/83333b1b18a341a5bcbde5474c24d909/index.xml

Slammers hold first faith night

By Megan Schuller

The Aug. 26 game between the Joliet Slammers and the Traverse City Beach Bums will kick off the night, with performances from The Center band at the start of the game and Joliet Christian rap artist Milton Calvin near the seventh-inning stretch.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/07/18/slammers-hold-first-faith-night/ap29ngf/

New Lenox studio shares love of art, teaches adults with disabilities life skills

By Megan Schuller

Whatever differences they may have, they come together as one team in the workshop, focused and enthusiastic about doing their part.

“To them it’s a job,” Program Coordinator Lindsey Santo said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/07/20/3d9fcb8fbbbc486fbb03bc6832dd9f0a/index.xml?page=1