BryonySeries

Thursday, January 17, 2019

George Winston - Pachelbel's Canon in D Major on Piano (HQ)

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Community News: January 16, 2019

Check out upcoming events, some good recipes, 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.

MorningStar Mission in Joliet receives clothing donation

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/10/morningstar-mission-in-joliet-receives-clothing/ali7j6w/

Local students earn dean's list for fall 2018

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/15/local-students-earn-deans-list-for-fall-2018/axh2aeu/

Plainfield school participates in clothing drive

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/01/10/8298ee3c268a45cf87a48491d4602bae/index.xml

Joliet school celebrates "Charlotte's Web''

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/12/17/joliet-school-celebrates-charlottes-web/atrw7e5/

Joliet Catholic Academy announces Students of the Month for December

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/01/15/3c0eabc972a041ebae64bfb57a1c5b04/index.xml

St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick students in Lemont receive award

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/12/05/st-alphonsusst-patrick-students-in-lemont-receive-award/aipyrpp/

Joliet church seeking crafters and vendors

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/15/joleit-church-seeking-crafters-and-vendors/ae3hz87/

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

Open Mic Night 2018 2: Duanne Walton (ME!)

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Community News: Jan. 15, 2019

Local food events: Jan. 14 through Jan. 21

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/13/local-food-events-jan-14-through-jan-21/a5gj41h/

62nd Annual Caritas Scholarship Ball is Jan. 26 in Joliet

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/15/62nd-annual-caritas-scholarship-ball/a95q236/

Daddy-Daughter Matinee Ball Feb. 9 in Romeoville

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/15/daddy-daughter-matinee-ball-feb-9-in-romeoville/asd23gw/

Around Town: Glen Marcum playground in Joliet

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/15/aroundtown-glen-marcum-playground-in-joliet/af1bt51/

Knowing risks today can lead to a healthier tomorrow

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/11/22/knowing-risks-today-can-lead-to-a-healthier-tomorrow/awgja4o/

IDOT seeking stories for Life or Death Illinois

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/15/idot-seeking-stories-for-lif-or-death-illinois/apzk3f8/

When the thyroid acts up

Endocrinologist at Morris Hospital explains some common disorders

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/15/when-the-thyroid-acts-up/adzm1aj/

Illinois Council for Exceptional Children honored 2 VVSD students

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/01/01/c036d9e6f03b4f31a5cbeab526a05980/index.xml

Terrell named executive director of service group

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/11/terrell-named-executive-director-of-service-group/a22qu2/

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 Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

When we homeschooled, we typically suspended much of our formal studies from Thanksgiving through Jan. 7 and used that time to decorate about 100 Christmas postcards to send to friends and family and to make Christmas gifts.

Gifts we made through the years included homemade bakery, pizzas, pierogies, slippers, craft projects, original stories, handwritten cookbooks of family recipes, videotaped Christmas productions - and these are just the ones coming to mind.

This Christmas I saw my first "exploding box," a homemade gift Daniel's girlfriend Cindy made twice (because someone at her house spilled water on the first one), staying up all night to do so. Hers was far more elaborate than any I found online, and you should have heard the "ooooohhhhh!" that resounded around the room when he removed the cover.

I made a special gift for my kids (with lots of technical help from Rebekah) accessed a private YouTube link.

The gifts we typically buy are not on anyone's wish list ("I want a FILL IN THE BLANK), but a surprise tied to an interest.

For example, Timothy likes to take photographs, and he likes Chicago. So Rebekah bid on an enormous photograph of Chicago's skyline at a fundraising auction and split the cost with Daniel.

Daniel likes coffee and Dr. Who. So one gift he received a coffee mug with a "moving" Tardis.

I taught myself yoga out of a book (before it was chic) when I was fifteen and have done yoga ever since. But Timothy's girlfriend also likes to do yoga. She bought me a yoga strap and yoga blocks (didn't even know these items existed) and offered to show me how to use them.

Timothy got me a miniature photo booth with different color backdrops for shooting Bertrand books and recipe photos for The Herald-News and this blog. This to replace (or replace some of the time) the corrugated white cardboard pieces I buy, ruin, and buy again.

Daniel bought me lots of envelopes and stamps, so I have them available for letter-writing (my grandchildren are my pen pals).

Rebekah adores Asian culture and can't wait to visit Japan during cherry blossom season. One year, I bought an art piece of cherry blossoms, and Timothy framed it. But she also bought him a map of Maine (his dream destination), and we framed it for him.

After spending a few days with Joshua, Rebekah found out a few items he really wanted but never has the money to buy. So she shared the information with siblings and significant others, and he received them.

Christopher is 6'10" and is out of work due to illness. He needs new clothes, but it's hard to find reasonably priced clothing that fits. So Rebekah bought him a gift card to his favorite store - and put quite a bit of money on that card.

Last year, I created an interactive game for the kids. This year, I received an elegant necklace in my favorite shade of blue from Rebekah.

This year, we made bears out of homemade bread. And I'm now in the processing of creating a secret Facebook group so the cousins can see each other's creations.

One year, Sarah and two friends made them at her birthday party (our birthday parties were all-age and included friends and family).

Now kids being kids whined at first about the project because they couldn't envision it. Nothing exciting about mixing flour in a bowl! (Although they did find the bubbling yeast fascinating).

But they perked up as their bears took shape. And all of the kids wore big smiles as they proudly carried their bears to the cars when it was time to go home.

For Lucas, who lives out of state, I sent a link to the recipe. His mother Sarah and his Aunt Rebekah made bread bears with him, too.

Because that was another gift. Rebekah is always a little down around the holidays because she can't see Sarah. Our family Christmas is on Jan. 7 and that is also Rebekah's birthday.

But Sarah's husband's birthday is on Jan. 6. And Lucas is usually back to school by then.

So instead of importing Sarah, we exported Rebekah. Sarah and I split the cost of a surprise plane ticket from Joliet to Raleigh for Rebekah. And back again, of course.

Of course, as fate would have it, Rebekah spent the second day in Raleigh at quick care for type A. flu.

But she did recover in enough time to make bread bears and see the Chinese lantern festival.

Monday, January 14, 2019

Community News: Jan. 14, 2019

Community is alive at Romeoville

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/01/01/dcb7ef4290194e9a8c29cc277fcad9a4/index.xml

Salk Elementary School collects hats and gloves

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/01/01/9587b4ce311740249a7101d0bbe0e6b0/index.xml

Romeoville High School receives pair of donations

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/01/01/6af358a311e34de1a38505b25de65f03/index.xml

Joliet students receive surprise

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/12/21/966e5fe7d00c4e3391f0a1f7693e6c50/index.xml?page=1

Lockport Chamber of Commerce nominates 6 new members to Board of Directors and confirms executive director

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/12/14/38cf91e5dbdd4084ae21c89b2c29c424/index.xml

Bolingbrook student wins poster contest

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/bolingbrook-student-wins-poster-contest/aomr05y/

VVSD transportation dept. honored for hiring veterans

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/vvsd-transportation-dept-honored-for-hiring-veterans/ai4ddto/

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

Quick Amusing Tale

Anyone who knows me well knows I'm not mechanically skilled.

A simple can opener can puzzle me.

I'm also not one to shop. And yes, this story connects the two.

So since I'm disinclined to shopping, when I see Sarah in Raleigh, we go clothes shopping at Good Will, which is like a great treasure hunt. (Sarah loves to shop and is good at it). I wander and browse, she selects possible items. When the cart overflows, she, Rebekah, and I pick the largest dressing room and start trying on clothes.

I usually just stand there until Sarah tosses me an item to try.

This routine has a more local precedent, which began with my mother, who also likes to shop.

On one particular trip to Louis Joliet Mall, probably close to ten years ago, my two daughters and my mother decided I needed some new clothes. So I sat in one dressing room after another, sipping a Gloria Jean coffee, while they handed me items through the door.

One shirt they loved on me I rejected because it was a camisole sewn into a shirt. No matter how I tried, the inside shirt twisted into the outside shirt, and Rebekah had to help put me into it. I rejected it; they thought it looked cute on me, (my favorite shade of dark blue), and since my mother was buying (or over-buying as the situation usually went), it came home in the bags with me.

Fast forward to a random Saturday. Everyone was passed out from the paper route, and I had to go to a women's devotional meeting from our church. I was riding as far as New Lenox to meet with the leader of the group, and then riding with her to Homewood.

Rebekah thought this shirt would pair nicely with a white skirt. So, even though she was sleeping and unable to play lady's maid, I decided to give it a try. After many frustrating minutes, I untwisted myself from the clutches of this evil shirt, hung the shirt on the back of the bathroom door, and picked another shirt, not quite as pretty as the blue, but easier for this clumsy soul to maneuver.

When I arrived at Karen's house, she was giving instructions to the babysitter regarding the care of her four-year-old Nicole. I hadn't seen Nicole for awhile, and she was eager to see me, too. So I sat on the living room floor, and she jumped into my lap.

Nicole made certain I admired her shirt, embellished with a large yarn flower sewed into its front. She was very proud of this shirt and told me she'd picked it out to wear today.

"Because it's your favorite?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Because I can put it on by myself."

Then she admired my shirt and asked me why I chose that particular one, too.

Well....

Yes, it was the same answer.

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Sunday, January 13, 2019

Community News: Jan. 12, 2019

Lemont Girl Scout held science expo

Old Quarry Middle School students, public introduced to JJC's MakerLab

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/01/08/9a968724d5ae4cb4a109a4e5daeb291b/index.xml

Joliet and Crest Hill employees send stockings to the troops

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/12/18/joliet-and-crest-hill-employees-send-stockings-to-the-troops/aewl50b/

Romeoville teachers ‘test drive’ lesson

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/romeoville-teachers-test-drive-lesson/ade0pra/

Local students make dean’s lists for fall 2018

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/local-students-make-deans-lists-for-fall-2018/as9lz87/

Bolingbrook middle school designated as exemplary

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/bolingbrook-middle-school-designated-as-exemplary/an809tx/

Meet VVSD teacher Darren DeGroff

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/meet-vvsd-teacher-darren-degroff/an88e3z/

Bolingbrook High School kitchen manager recognized

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/bolingbrook-high-school-kitchen-manager-recognized/a8cznii/

Bolingbrook HS students raise money for Operation Christmas

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/bolingbrook-hs-students-raise-money-for-operation-christmas/aqe3tu3/

Local students graduate in 2018

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/local-students-graduate-in-2018/a11qssp/

Bolingbrook student receives unexpected Christmas present

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/bolingbrook-student-receives-unexpected-christmas-present/a910vtx/

Romeoville teacher engages multi-need students

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/romeoville-teacher-engages-multi-need-students/afbdg3c/

Bolingbrook students take part in kindness challenge

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/bolingbrook-students-take-part-in-kindness-challenge/a7zixep/

Ferrara Candy donates to school program

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/ferrara-candy-donates-to-school-program/a94u98h/

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 Kathleen Rose Van Pelt for "Bryony."

Saturday, January 12, 2019

Take a Breath

So trying to be a team player on the home front today, I shelved some work for "later" and caught up (somewhat) with stuff around the house that needed to be done.

Among all that, I helped a writing comrade with a project.

Knowing I have a few hours ahead of me and others will want the shower, too, I decided to be proactive and claim privileges before anyone else wanted them, too.

I returned to a changed screen.

Did it go through an update? Power surge? Random electronic goofiness I don't understand?

No matter. I lost nearly half an hour and had to bother Timothy to help figure it out.

"Sometimes I had computers," he said.

Me, too.

Anyway, everything is back up. And I am back to work.

I'm sure everything will get done.

Although maybe not on my schedule.

In fact, probably not on my schedule.

But is that bad?

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

Friday, January 11, 2019

Community News: Jan. 10 and Jan. 11, 2019

Local arts and entertainment: Jan. 11 through Jan. 18

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/09/local-arts-and-entertainment-jan-11-through-jan-18/awgvgbu/

Joliet cathedral to host concert of Christmas music on Jan. 12

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/10/joliet-cathedral-to-host-concert-of-christmas-music-on-jan-12/aauej2m/

St. Nicholas visits Joliet on Dec. 6

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/10/st-nicholas-visits-joliet-on-dec-6/aeyrfw7/

Plainfield students take on the world

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/10/plainfield-students-take-on-the-world/aphivca/

Forest Preserve District of Will County plans more events around exhibit

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/10/forest-preserve-district-of-will-county-plans-more-events-around-exhibit/ahe30sc/

It's not just about fun and games
Frankfort school created an escape room to embrace growth mindsets

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/12/12/472bed20ca8c4dde8c78a626c46d034b/index.xml

Minooka Women's Club enjoys crafting

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/12/17/minooka-womens-club-enjoys-crafting/aeecus/

Bolingbrook students portray first Thanksgiving

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/bolingbrook-students-portray-first-thanksgiving/ah9plep/

Be safe when ice fishing

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/10/be-safe-when-ice-fishing/ayhyw4j/

Forest Preserve District of Will County will extend Normantown Trail

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/11/30/d923c229a3204fd497999404d28dec74/index.xml

Lockport museum acquires 2 still lifes from 19th century

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/10/lockport-museum-acquires-2-still-lifes-from-19th-century/acnrwgs/

'Attractive and sustainable
Section of JJC lake's shoreline has new look, plus natural benefits

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/11/30/6e99745ee54244938c136ba393472a98/index.xml

Bolingbrook teacher helps Santa

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/bolingbrook-teacher-helps-santa/ajga7k1/

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

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Jan. 6 through Jan. 11

So far, 2019 has been a year of new beginnings.

Also, so far, all of them are pretty exciting.

This month, I published the first installment of Before the Blood.

This week, I made some changes to the features section of The Herald-News which will start on Sunday.

Last night, I met with my WriteOn Joliet co-leader Tom Hernandez to plan out the group's year. I'm amazed at how much this group has grown (in members and scope), is still growing, and will grow in 2019. Lots of new initiatives on the horizon.

Currently, my werewolf story is "taking shape" within my mind. Some may say this doesn't count as writing, but it's part of the process for me, and I have the books to prove it.

This weekend, with Rebekah still on vacation and people out of the house (work and other adventures), I plan to use the time to tie up loose ends of projects shelved these last few months and make a plan for addressing those that need collaboration, a dusting off of my brain's shelves and making space for the new stuff.

Have a great weekend, readers, writers, and vampire fans!

Now, here's where to find information and after that, 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 some only on 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.

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:

These are listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts.

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at www.bryonyseries.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.

Creating change with her skills
Immersive learning experience solidifies career goals for Brooke Braun of Frankfort

"I just think everyone has the opportunity to create change with their own set of skills," Braun said. "And I'd like to live by that with my own knowledge."

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/12/24/creating-change-with-her-skills/a1jwrbe/

Romeoville man's stress buster has health benefits

Read on to find out what happened to him.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/12/24/7e1ac8c8d2a545b0b8a613ae1426ce66/index.xml

Diving into the feast of Epiphany

All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Joliet hosts event at YMCA pool

Angela Thiakos of New Lenox said, ""It's so much better to have kids see it instead of showing them a video."

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/01/09/3e04316505664d06af078618d6f675d3/index.xml?page=1

Forest Preserve District of Will County hosts atypical exhibit

'Frida Kahlo's Garden' makes stop at Four Rivers Environmental Center in Channahon

Tina Riley, facility supervisor at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, provides insight into this exhibit.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/01/11/cedb09e4278d4a2c879366e077dcfd67/index.xml

Artworks: Joliet Central High School changed his life

Joliet 19-year-old studying music performance, hopes to mentor youth

"I feel the true power of what music can do is influence different people of different generations. It's another way of getting to know someone." Tyrique McNeal, 19, Joliet, NIU music performance major, said.

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/01/09/c06e779266b74a10924e2504a2b59fbb/index.xml

LocalLit author spotlight: Richard Krause of Sycamore

Krause said: "My personal cache of unpublished work runs the gamut from short stories to biographical sketches, essays, political satire, and social commentary. My most ambitious work-in-progress is a 400 page novel, written as a "spoof" of the detective/mystery genre."

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/locallit-author-spotlight-richard-krause-of-sycamore/a835ztr/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Thursday, January 10, 2019

BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: My Ambitious "Before the Blood" Homework List

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

My Ambitious "Before the Blood" Homework List

Below is the list I foolishly thought I could complete four days,

Well first of all, work bled into Thursday morning, so not until that was completed, and I had attended Divine Liturgy and gathered with family friends, did I settle down to the story, circa eleven o'clock that night.

Friday was pretty productive, although learning about the unexpected and tragic death of the mother of two former youth group members (for several my ex-husband and I ran a youth ministry connected with our church) derailed composition for part of the evening (as it should).

Saturday was quite productive until the young lady whose mother had died called to talk. By the time I hung up the phone, my muse had vanished. I simply felt wretched, so I called a friend to talk.

Sunday was church, grocery shopping, and general catch up.

Anyway, here's the list:

* Break down each chapter by scene

* Write out research needed for each chapter

* Find necessary research for each chapter online and save

* Organize research by novella files

* Double check all Bryony events are in chapters

* Double check all notes are copied into chapters

* Complete character questionnaires for all major/secondary characters

* Name all characters with descriptions

* Name all places

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Community News: Jan. 9, 2019

Food resources in Will, Grundy counties

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/04/food-resources-in-will-grundy-counties/agz41v4/

Bolingbrook schools offers hot chocolate

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/bolingbrook-schools-offers-hot-chocolate/ayzp5lf/

VVSD365U STEP program share special meal

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/vvsd365u-step-program-share-special-meal/ay4ueqn/

Romeoville students collect canned goods

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/romeoville-students-collect-canned-goods/a91gvla/

Romeoville school's book fair includes 'GRAND' lunch

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/romeoville-schools-book-fair-includes-grand-lunch/ahyk4ih/

Bolingbrook school hosts 'Donuts with Dads'

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/bolingbrook-school-hosts-donuts-with-dads/a6sdm1q/

Bolingbrook school provided #Thanksgiving baskets for its own

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/bolingbrook-school-provided-thanksgiving-baskets-for-its-own/aobt7vl/

RECIPES

Considering shrimp for dinner? Check out this Greek recipe

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/08/considering-shrimp-for-dinner-check-out-this-greek-recipe/a78v4tt/

Lettuce wraps are the perfect low-carb vehicle for chicken

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/08/lettuce-wraps-are-the-perfect-low-carb-vehicle-for-chicken/a7rimvl/

Dress up your banana bread with nuts, spices or chocolate

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/08/dress-up-your-banana-bread-with-nuts-spices-or-chocolate/a29mfek/

The melt-in-your mouth consistency of eggplant shines here

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/08/the-melt-in-your-mouth-consistency-of-eggplant-shines-here/abw0lkq/

Chinese chicken salad offers an enticing variety of tastes

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/08/chinese-chicken-salad-offers-an-enticing-variety-of-tastes/a9xmhll/

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

Community News: Jan. 4, Jan. 5, and Jan. 8 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.

EVENTS

Local arts and entertainment: Jan. 4 through Jan. 11

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/02/local-arts-and-entertainment-jan-4-through-jan-11/a6q8hy5/

Gotta Do It: Jan. 6 through Jan. 13

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/02/gotta-do-it-jan-6-through-jan-13/atwiu55/

Local health events: Jan. 8 through Jan. 15

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/06/local-health-events-jan-8-through-jan-15/a9u8mya/

Local pet events: Jan. 7 through Jan. 14

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/06/local-pet-events-jan-7-through-jan-14/assn4ku/

Will County Audubon to host ‘Birds of Peru’

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/06/will-county-audubon-to-host-birds-of-peru/apbfp0r/

PETS

Pets of the Week: Jan. 7

https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2019/01/01/b70d1c3c39d24f90acc9282988daa44f/index.xml

TurfMutt offers weather tips for pets

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/12/20/turfmutt-offers-weather-tips-for-pets/a7rwq58/

ART AND ENTERTAINMENT

Romeoville youth cheerleading brings home championships

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/12/17/romeoville-youth-cheerleading-brings-home-championships/aimg4yl/

Bolingbrook High school Students help out at party

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/bolingbrook-high-school-students-help-out-at-party/akgvpaq/

Forest Preserve District’s picnicking and camping permits available online

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/03/forest-preserve-districts-picnicking-and-camping-permits-available-online/a1wku1y/

IDNR reminds snowmobilers to focus on safety

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/03/idnr-reminds-snowmobilers-to-focus-on-safety/a12yiar/

Lincoln-Way Foundation to host 25th Anniversary Dinner Gala and Auctions

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/03/lincoln-way-foundation-to-host-25th-anniversary-dinner-gala-auctions/alsk3kg/

Romeoville students perform winter concert

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/romeoville-students-perform-winter-concert/aft43n1/

Bolingbrook students sing Imagine Dragons song

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/bolingbrook-students-sing-imagine-dragons-song/asx6zql/

Author and illustrator share with Bolingbrook students their creative processes

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/author-and-illustrator-share-with-bolingbrook-students-their-creative-processes/aukr51t/

HEALTH

Bilateral amputee at Joliet Junior College hopes to help those with disabilities

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/12/02/bilateral-amputeeat-joliet-junior-college-hopes-to-help-those-with-disabilities/anuxqng/

Joliet West students, teacher earn certification

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/12/02/joliet-west-students-teacher-earn-certification/a62gkht/

Romeoville students raise money for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/romeoville-students-raise-money-for-juvenile-diabetes-research-foundation/aas9j6g/

Romeoville P.E. teacher receives award

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/romeoville-p-e-teacher-receives-award/aatg1ew/

Bolingbrook students perform yoga

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/01/bolingbrook-students-perform-yoga/abg5de8/

Edward Hospital in Naperville to host 'Lifestyle Under Construction' program

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/08/edward-hospital-in-naperville-to-host-lifestyle-under-construction-program/a4n0eak/

Edward Foundation awards $40,000 in nursing scholarships

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/08/edward-foundation-awards-40-000-in-nursing-scholarships/a51x0ig/

Edward NICU holds reunion

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/08/edward-nicu-holds-reunion/axdkiq5/

Edward-Elmhurst Health recognizes veterans

https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/01/08/edward-elmhurst-health-recognizes-veterans/aduot85/

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

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Open Mic Night 2018 2: Sharon Houk

Sunday, January 6, 2019

New Book!

The first volume of the five-volume serialized BryonySeries prequel Before the Blood is now available for purchase.

A HUGE THANK YOU to WriteOn Joliet member Stephen T. Saporta for pointing out the typo in the Amazon description (the book has no back cover copy, so hence, no typos there). My editor Colleen Robbins never saw this description, FYI. The fault is all mine.

An update was sent to KDP last night, but it may take 72 hours for the update to appear.

In the meantime, you can still order the book by clicking https://www.amazon.com/dp/1949777014. In fact, I know of at least two people who will own copies of this book before I will, LOL!

The goal is to release a new volume every other month through the beginning of September.

Copy edits for the second book are nearly complete, so formatting (hopefully) can get done next weekend. Rebekah is currently vacationing out of state anyway, so we can't upload anything until she returns (she's my cover-assembler).

I've had many compliments on Sue Midlock's cover design and Christopher Gleason's frontispieces for the books, so please check those out, too.

Recipe's from Sue's Diner should resume in a week or so. For those who never tried any of the Thanksgiving recipes (all of which are good any time of the year), they are still posted and can be accessed at this link: https://www.bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner.

Blog posts should hopefully even back out by the end of the month. I have a couple new work-related projects this month and a few days off, so my brain is feeling a little scattered right now.

Thank you for your patience and your readership. Both are appreciated more than you could ever know.