Maine

5 takeaways from the 2024 Emmy awards

Published

2 years ago

September 16, 2024

The Emmy Awards on Sunday night didn’t offer up one single show that outperformed all the rest. Instead, a few shows split most of the major categories, without too many surprises (there was perhaps one). Hosts Eugene and Dan Levy did their best to keep things moving, and as always, everyone was very thankful. Here are a few takeaways from the ceremony and the Emmy season.

Shōgun was the sweeping historical drama that swept the top categories. More could follow.

Phil McCarten / Invision/AP

Invision/AP

The team from Shogun accepts the Emmy award for outstanding drama series.

Shōgun is the biggest Emmy winner this year, after 14 awards last weekend at the Creative Arts ceremony and four on Sunday night: the show took home outstanding drama series, in addition to awards for lead actor Hiroyuki Sanada, lead actress Anna Sawai, and director Frederick E.O. Toye. Sweeping historical epics are not as popular as they once were, and over and over, FX and Hulu were praised for being willing to support an expensive period piece that was largely in Japanese with subtitles. It’s going to be interesting to see whether there is any effort in the next couple of years to pursue these sweeping epic series like the ones that used to air in the ’70s and ’80s, like North and South or The Thorn Birds.

It’s hard to make an exciting awards show when it’s too soon after the last show.

The last Emmy Awards were only in January of this year, after being delayed by the actors’ and writers’ strikes. Thus, we just did all of the celebrating of beloved shows, the saluting of people who are in The Bear and Hacks, and discussions of how important television is to people. It might seem like the difference between a year and 8.5 months isn’t that much, but it did indeed feel like we just did this, and it felt a little lifeless as a result. Not because there’s anything wrong with the winners, but just because … you know, we just did this.

Baby Reindeer cleaned up, and its creator hopes it will prove a point.

Richard Gadd, winner of the outstanding limited or anthology series for Baby Reindeer. — Richard Gadd, winner of the outstanding limited or anthology series for *Baby Reindeer*.

The Netflix series created by Richard Gadd won awards for lead actor, supporting actress, writing, and outstanding limited series. It may be in the middle of a lawsuit from the woman who says she inspired the stalker played by Jessica Gunning, but that didn’t bother Emmy voters, who gave Gadd three opportunities to make speeches. He took the opportunity to point out that the show didn’t have established intellectual property, didn’t have established stars, and became a hit anyway. It would be lovely to think that Netflix – and other outlets – will take the lesson that risks can pay off.

Hacks came up big, and The Bear may have run into a category problem.

Jean Smart won the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for her performance in Hacks. — Jean Smart won the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for her performance in *Hacks.*

The Bear, which was a sensation at the Emmys in January, did very well in the comedy categories. It won for lead actor (Jeremy Allen White), it won for supporting actor (Ebon Moss Bachrach), it won for supporting actress (Liza Colón-Zayas), and it won for directing, for the episode “Fishes.” (Keep in mind that these are awards for season two, not the most recent season.) The one acting category in which The Bear didn’t win was lead actress, where Ayo Edebiri lost to Jean Smart after winning in the supporting actress category last year.

It was a bit of a sign of things to come during the ceremony: Hacks also picked up the critical award for comedy writing (for the episode “Bulletproof”). And then, unlike at the most recent Emmys, The Bear did not win outstanding comedy series; Hacks did. Given that there was a biting joke in the monologue from hosts Eugene and Dan Levy about the widespread sense that The Bear doesn’t belong in the comedy category in the first place, and given the laugh it got, it may be that some people who were perfectly happy to reward the wonderful performances on the show were ultimately hesitant to give the award for outstanding comedy series to something they don’t consider a comedy.

The shtick between awards was … fine?

TV dads Damon Wayans, left, George Lopez and Jesse Tyler Ferguson presented the Emmy Award for Outstanding lead actor in a comedy series.

As with many awards shows, Emmys night featured a recurring bit between awards presentations. This evening featured a series of groups of actors who had some connection to each other: TV moms, TV dads, TV doctors, TV lawyers, TV coaches. There was even a pairing of Ron Howard and Henry Winkler to mark the 50th (!!) anniversary of Happy Days. But these moments always seem to be somehow less than the sum of their parts, and this year was no exception. There are a lot of TV dads; just picking three and having them present together on a set that looks like a living room to deliver patter that sounds exactly like the patter on every other awards show doesn’t really celebrate anything except whoever booked the talent for the telecast. One point for having Winkler punch the jukebox on the diner set to get it to play, though, just like Fonzie used to do. That was fun.

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Maine

18 jaw-dropping views from Katahdin to help you plan for warmer weather

Published

7 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

18 jaw-dropping views from Katahdin to help you plan for warmer weather

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in September 2022.

When it comes to Maine hiking, summiting Katahdin is the ultimate achievement.

Maine’s tallest mountain stands at 5,269 feet, and there are a number of different trails hikers can take to get up and down Katahdin. And while some are harder than others, none are easy.

But the views are incredible.

Whether it’s the rugged terrain of the Knife Edge or the vast landscape of the 200,000 acres that compose Baxter State Park below, here’s a look at what it’s like to climb Katahdin.

Hunt Trail

Hunt Trail traces the edge of a ridge on the west side of Katahdin known as Hunt Spur. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN

Katahdin Stream Falls is one of the many scenic highlights of Katahdin’s Hunt Trail. It’s located about a mile from the trailhead at Katahdin Stream Campground. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN

Abol Trail

Chimney Pond Trail

Cathedral Trail

Saddle Trail

Northwest Basin Trail

Knife Edge

Hikers on the Knife Edge of Katahdin have few options for getting off trail to relieve themselves of human waste. Above treeline, Leave No Trace principles recommend planning ahead to avoid the necessity of going to the bathroom in fragile alpine areas, or getting off trail as far as possible to relieve themselves on rock or gravel. Credit: Courtesy of Brad Viles

Tablelands

South Peak

Hamlin Peak

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Maine

Maine Township Residents OK Purchase Of Building For Food Pantry – Journal & Topics Media Group

Published

19 hours ago

April 18, 2026

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Maine Township Residents OK Purchase Of Building For Food Pantry – Journal & Topics Media Group

Maine Township residents vote in support of purchasing building for the relocation of the township food pantry.

A proposal for Maine Township to purchase a building at 9850 Milwaukee Ave. in Glenview to move its popular and growing food pantry received strong approval at the township’s Annual Meeting held last week at the Town Hall on Ballard Road.
More than 100 residents attended the meeting where they approved buying the property for $1,429,000. The 3,000 sq. ft. building, which is located within the township, had been the home of a local restaurant. It is currently vacant.
In March, Supervisor Kim Jones explained that the food pantry needs more space for food and to accommodate clients who need food. “We’ve totally outgrown it,” said Jones at the time. “We’ve been looking for more than a year.”
Following last week’s meeting, Jones said about the vote, “That magical moment really encapsulated the strong support system that’s been built from neighbors helping neighbors throughout our community. The food pantry has grown in leaps and bounds throughout the last five years thanks to the dedicated work of its staff, volunteers and the public.”
Des Plaines City Clerk Dominik Bronakowski served as ceremonial moderator for the event.
Jones also recognized a number of employees and officials who currently serve the township. They included Assessor Susan Moylan-Krey and MaineStay Youth and Family Services Director Richard Lyon for their 20 years of service to Maine. Assistant Director of MaineStreamers, Therese Tully was recognized for her 25 years of service.
The meeting also recognized former Des Plaines Self-Help Closet and Pantry Director Debbie Walusiak who was presented the Sgt. Karen Lader Good Citizen Award for her more than 20 years of service to the Des Plaines community.
“Debbie is an exceptional community leader and volunteer,” said township Clerk Pete Gialamas whose office runs the annual award program. “Her work with the Des Plaines community, particularly her leadership navigating the Self-Help Closet and Pantry’s 2020 move to a larger location in the midst of the COVID pandemic really shows the depth and resolve of that leadership and dedication to service.”
In 2011, the clerk’s office instituted the award in honor of Lader, a resident of Des Plaines and a 15-year veteran of the Cook County Sheriff’s Police who lost her battle with cancer in 2010. She was deeply involved with the township’s Neighborhood Watch program and active in Maine’s National Night Out Against Crime event held each August. She also worked on Special Olympics and animal rescue.

If you like this story, you can get a whole lot more practically every day of the week by subscribing to journal-topics.com. Click here to choose your preference of either print or online, or call 847-299-5511.

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Maine

Spring birding events are happening across Maine. Here’s where to go.

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Spring birding events are happening across Maine. Here’s where to go.

Now the fun begins, as many birds and quite a few birders return to Maine for the summer. It’s time to get organized.

Birding is generally a quiet, solitary pastime — a stroll in the park, a walk in the woods, a paddle in the marsh.

Penobscot Valley Audubon’s Neighborhood Bird Walks kick off May 6. There are 13 walks scheduled at birding hot spots in Greater Bangor throughout the month. These walks have been immensely popular since they began nine years ago.

The benefits are many. It’s a chance to walk with experienced local guides, finding birds you might otherwise overlook. You can start to associate specific species with their preferred habitats. It’s a great opportunity to learn and practice identification skills and gather tips from others. Many participants enjoy the social camaraderie of guided bird walks.

A Baltimore oriole perches in Maine. Spring birding events take advantage of the surge in returning species. Credit: Courtesy of Bob Duchesne

I will lead two of these morning walks and probably tag along on several others. I chuckle at how easy it is to find birds in May. I’ve done these same walks so many times over the years, I usually know where different species will be before I even arrive. It’s almost like cheating.

Penobscot Valley Audubon members have already received the walk schedule in the most recent newsletter. Nonmembers can find the schedule on the chapter website at pvc.maineudubon.org. The walks are free and open to all.

Morning bird walks are fun. But for a full weekend adventure, try a birding festival. There are four great festivals to choose from.

The Wings, Waves & Woods Festival occupies the third weekend of May. Most events occur in Stonington and Deer Isle. Highlights include a Sunday visit to the Atlantic puffin colony on Seal Island, preceded by a Saturday cruise around the islands outside Stonington Harbor. I’ll be one of the guides on both.

I must say I am particularly excited about the archipelago cruise. Last year was the first year we did it, and I was not prepared for how many winter seabirds were still loitering around the islands. The numbers and variety were astounding. This festival is ideal for seeing the overlap of Maine’s overwintering birds and newly arrived spring migrants, all on the same weekend.

A rose-breasted grosbeak perches in Maine. Migratory songbirds return in May, drawing birders to walks and festivals. Credit: Courtesy of Bob Duchesne

The Downeast Spring Birding Festival spans Memorial Day weekend. I’m awed, or maybe odd, to say I’ve been guiding for this festival ever since it began in 2003. Indeed, I led the very first walk of the first festival. That was amazing enough to convince me to keep doing it for the next 23 years.

Cobscook Institute coordinates the festival from its campus in Trescott. Events cover birding hotspots in Washington County, Campobello Island in New Brunswick and nearby offshore islands. Two different boats will visit two different puffin colonies over the weekend.

I might get an argument from the organizers of other festivals, but I personally think this one is the birdiest for two reasons. Memorial Day weekend is about the time the last returning migrants pass through Washington County, adding to the number of songbirds that have already established breeding territories for the summer. The Cobscook Bay area also has some of the most diverse habitat in the state, creating opportunities to see a wide variety of species in a relatively compact area.

The Acadia Birding Festival is the granddaddy of them all. Now in its 27th year, it’s the biggest of Maine’s festivals and attracts nationally recognized guides and speakers. It offers the advantage of birding in and around Acadia National Park.

The official dates for the festival are May 28-31, but three pre-festival trips are offered: one to Monhegan Island, one to Saddleback Mountain near Rangeley seeking the elusive Bicknell’s thrush and one to visit the puffins on Petit Manan, with a second post-festival trip to Petit Manan also available.

And now for something completely different: The Rangeley Birding Festival. The mountainous forests of western Maine host a different selection of bird species compared to the three coastal festivals. This is the realm of Canada jays, boreal chickadees, black-backed woodpeckers and that elusive Bicknell’s thrush.

By June 5-7, when this festival occurs, spring migration is over. Birds have settled into their nesting territories, where they can be predictably found. Very few organized events introduce birders to the boreal forest, so this festival has its own unique appeal.

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