Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Feb. 2 through Feb. 7

Good morning!

Here is the weekly roundup of my feature stories that appeared in The Herald-News this week.

Two stories that are in today's print edition won't appear online until later today. When they do, I will update this blog. So please check back here (or The Herald-News website) later today.

Last night, I had dinner with Colleen Robbins before WriteOn Joliet met (and celebrated its eighth birthday with cake). Colleen returned the proof copy of Phyllis' memoir with her list of changes. I'll tackle that this weekend and then reupload and send the book to Phyllis' granddaughter to pass around the family. This was my first ghost-written, creative non-fiction project, and I'm hoping to accepting more projects in the future.

On the fiction side of things, I'm planning to work on The Phoenix (the first book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy) and Lycanthropic Summer (my standalone werewolf novel, also part of the BryonySeries) this weekend. Looking forward to it!

And don't forget! Our annual Calkins Day celebration is this Thursday at the Book and Bean Cafe, 3395 Black Road in Joliet - inside the Joliet Public Library.

In honor of the day, WriteOn Joliet is hosting a humor-themed open mic event with a gust appearance by the Steward himself. Come out to read, listen, or both. Either way, I'm sure you'll be entertained and laugh a lot (either at us or with us).

Have a great day readers, writers, and BryonySeries fans! :)

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. 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.

From our church to your school
Faith Lutheran provides 10 mentors for students at Joliet school 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/01/27/from-our-church-to-your-school/dvh4uvc/


An Extraordinary Life: 'His door was always open’
Joliet fire chief considered everyone else's needs before his own

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/01/21/his-door-was-always-open/dm0e0yv/


No need to cry for Cherry Pie's eyes
Joliet rescue corrects condition in dog and 2 of her pups 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/01/28/no-need-to-cry-for-cherry-pies-eyes/dgbh8dg/


‘A 20-minute standing ovation for the veterans’
Lockport history teacher seeking 150-plus veterans for appreciation night 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/03/a-20-minute-standing-ovation-for-the-veterans/d4iukkf/


LocalLit book review: 'Worship is More Than You Think' by Jennifer Abbott of Channahon

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/03/locallit-book-review-worship-is-more-than-you-think-by-jennifer-abbott-of-channahon/a9zmv1z/


Shorewood HUGS sells out its annual #chocolate ball

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/05/shorewood-hugs-sells-out-its-annual-chocolate-ball/dg72e6k/


VIDEO: Hugs and more at chocolate ball in Joliet

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/598cb432-8dde-4c39-9f5d-81470e4bb8f9.html


'A good gourmet meal made by a chef'
Joliet soul food restaurant offering special pop-up dinner for Valentines Day

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/05/a-good-gourmet-meal-made-by-a-chef/deaeg3f/


Think 'digital' when buying Valentine's Day gifts

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/03/think-digital-when-buying-valentines-day-gifts/atoydtq/


Artworks: There's no place like homemade
Gather the kids together and make gifts for ValentinesDay

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/02/theres-no-place-like-homemade/aqcw1br/


These boys leave no stone unclimbed
Plainfield twins competing in #rockclimbing event this weekend 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/06/these-boys-leave-no-stone-unclimbed/aqomjrk/


LocalLit spotlight: ‘Stories of a Sheltered Suburbanite’ by Colleen H. Robbins of Joliet

https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/02/06/locallit-spotlight-stories-of-a-sheltered-suburbanite/a1kpsd3/

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