Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 24 to Dec. 30, 2022

Good morning.

Today I have just five features and news stories to share with you today, since I was out of office for most of this week, although I did work some Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (with COVID) so my co-workers could enjoy the holiday (Don't worry - my family Christmas is Jan. 7. I will not be working then).

However, I will be back to work on Tuesday. In the meantime, check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news for more great stories, including a few of mine that have not yet run.

I spent most of this past week sleeping, quite honestly, and just getting past COVID. I did a little social media and a little bit of catching up on the business side of the BryonySeries to close out 2022 but that's about it - and my house shows it!

In tomorrow's blog will recap our sales year for the BryonySeries. Believe me, the results are nothing to retire on. But ever since Rebekah and I began studying marketing in earnest over COVID, our sales numbers are gradually increasing - and we are seeing repeat sales, too. 

We also have enough moving parts to the business that we plan to talk to our accountant at tax time (early February for us) to help with some of the financial tasks. This is an exciting step for us.

So, as a means of encouraging other indie artists like us as what progress looks like (to us), we'd like to share our results for 2022.

I also played with a bit of fiction yesterday and completed a rough draft for a chapter. I now have rough drafts for the first five chapters of in the final book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy: House on Top of the Hill. 

I had hoped to finish writing the next Adventures of Cornell Dyer story: Cornell Dyer and the Hounds of Basketville. Sue Midlock almost has the art done, too. But I will adjust and get that book written soon.

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. 

I'm also working on a guide book to the series called: Welcome to Munsonville: the People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries.

And I'm also working on a novella. But I'm not sharing any details yet. 

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 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.

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 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 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

Ukrainian refugees find connection and hope in Will County: Alla Lavrinenko: ‘I felt I was with family.’

Baran-Unland: Enjoy a trip to Joliet’s Christmas past with our gallery of vintage photos

Tackle New Year’s resolutions with hypnotherapy: Joliet hypnotist to host informational event Jan. 4, 2023: Brenda Gray said hypnotism is not magical or mysterious.

5 Things to do in Will County: family friends ways to welcome 2023: Plus, drive around Joliet and view the holiday lights in neighborhoods.

Pets of the Week: Dec. 26, 2022: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Perry Como - Season's Greetings From Perry Como - Vintage Music Songs

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 15 through Dec. 20

LOTS of Christmas/holiday deadlines today (and plenty of great stories to read) so no editorializing by me today.

Just plenty of wishes for all who've landed on this page that today is full of blessings for you and all whom you hold dear.

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.



A place of hope for families
65-year-old center in Joliet for youth with disabilities makes 2 significant changes

In order to step forward, this center is stepping back - and a vision for the future is being defined.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/12/04/a-place-of-hope-for-families/acvhhz4/

'I was just a kid trying to stay alive'

Former Joliet athlete needs a new special needs van

Decades ago, a moment of tragedy changed the course for this outstanding student athlete. But it didn't affect his independence. And his friends are working hard to ensure it.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/12/09/i-was-just-a-kid-trying-to-stay-alive/dooqxw8/

'He was a Marine, definitely'

Francis Ryan of Joliet had a worth ethic that was second to none

He also had a daily habit, which the Marines also influenced.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/12/09/he-was-a-marine-definitely/dodjayw/


VIDEO: The measure of a hardworking man

Frank Ryan of Minooka shares a story that illustrates how he, as a child, regarded his father Francis Ryanof Joliet

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/f59e88ee-f442-42b4-ada8-c27c16fb81ad.html

'We’re looking at being a beacon of light in serving'

New pastor at Joliet church brings her experience to the community

This pastor lost nearly a dozen friends to gang violence in high school. And while she was still in high school she began to address it.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/11/27/were-looking-at-being-a-beacon-of-light-in-serving/ac14950/


Prepared with kind intentions

Joliet H-N features editor's son prepares recipes from Culinary Hearts program

Try these recipes for chicken and dumplings, biscuits, cranberry and orange muffins, and blueberry crisp.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/12/17/prepared-with-kind-intentions/d61fiih/


Plainfield couple collects Christmas vintage

With nearly 50 photos and one video, this may be the most magical, virtual journey you'll take this Christmas.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/12/17/578af23dc0f341f3824985a8f18883b3/index.xml?page=1


Artworks: Get creative with final gift giving
Joliet area artists and businesses offer unique ideas for last-minute presents 

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/12/16/artworks-get-creative-with-final-gift-giving/dqgmdou/

Ye Olde Shoppe Window

The living room of Jean and Don Newhall of Plainfield reflects the joy and wonder of Christmas past with their moving display of window pieces.

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/9483a9a3-6afe-431f-96af-67d2271625fe.html


VIDEO: Something in the Water

Leap of Faith Ministries in Plainfield held its Christmas recital on Dec. 15 at Minooka Community High School. Here, the Brilliance Jazz class performs "Something in the Water."

https://www.theherald-news.com/video/id/ad0c2ace-4264-4da1-9965-3f3eb3c0ab81.html

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."