KENT, Ohio – PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45/WEAO 49) has received six regional Emmy nominations.
The 2026 nominations were announced Tuesday by the Central Great Lakes Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
“As a small but mighty production team, we’ve prioritized quality over quantity in our programming strategy, and these nominations are a testament to that payoff and to the efforts of our producing staff and the independent producers we collaborate with,” said Ryan Donchess, chief content officer.
Winners will be announced at the 2026 Central Great Lakes ceremony in Cleveland on June 27.
All nominated productions are available for free, on-demand streaming at PBS.org and the PBS app. The PBS Western Reserve nominees are:
- “Icon in the Sky: 100 Years of the Goodyear Blimp” in the category Documentary – Historical.
- “By Nature’s Design: Exploring Our Native Wildlife” in the category Documentary – Topical.
- “Western Reserve and the American Revolution” in the category Historical/Cultural – Short Form or Long Form.
- “Cleveland Treasures” and “Restoring Forgotten Films” in the categories Historical/Cultural – Short Form or Long Form and Writer – Short or Long Form Content.
- “Gathered in Darkness” in the category Special Event Coverage Live or Edited.
Nelsonville Music Fest Unveils Final Round of Bands
NELSONVILLE, Ohio – The Nelsonville Music Festival has announced its final round of artists set to perform during its 20th anniversary celebration June 18-20 at Snow Fork Event Center in Buchtel, a few miles north of Nelsonville.
Newly added to the 2026 lineup are The Mystery Lights, Folk B Trio, Jeffrey Lewis & The Voltage, Lou Hazel, Memo PST, Space Kid, Victoria Lekson, Big Fat Head, Napsack, The D-Rays, Heather Redman & The Reputation, Shirt Brothers, Candy Rain, Kojun Hayes and Wendy McVicker.
Previously announced artists include Geese, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Marcus King Band, Mon Rovîa, Fruit Bats, Wednesday, Thee Sinseers, Hannah Cohen, Cat Clyde, The Altons, Big Freedia, S.G. Goodman, Los Mirlos, Ken Pomeroy, Wine Lips, Mikaela Davis, Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band, Anna Tivel, Saintseneca, Gwenifer Raymond, Elizabeth Moen, The Animeros, Emily Hines, Styrofoam Winos, Thomas Dollbaum, Setting, BERTHA: Grateful Drag, Magic Tuber Stringband, Tory Silver and Weedghost.
Set in the Appalachian foothills and surrounded by national forest land, NMF is an intimate festival that showcases national, regional and local acts across four stages all weekend long, with camping, kids’ activities, vendors selling artisanal goods, food and beverages and more.
Tier 2 weekend passes are currently on sale for $200. Prices will increase as the festival approaches. Weekend passes for teens (ages 13-17) are available for $100, and kids 12 and under can attend for free with a ticketed adult. A limited number of single-day passes will go on sale Monday. Tickets and more information can be found at NelsonvilleFest.org.
Author Schedules Book Signing Events
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – The release of the paperback version “Transforming Tessa,” the new novel by Austintown-based author Nancy Christie, will be released Sunday, May 3.
She has scheduled two book signing events in the Mahoning Valley.
On May 8, Christie will be at Look Nook Gift Shop at Salem Regional Medical Center, 1995 E. State St., Salem, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
On Saturday, May 9, she will be at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 381 Boardman-Poland Road, from noon to 2 p.m.
“Transforming Tessa” is the fourth novel in her Midlife Moxie series, which tells the stories of older women making changes in their lives.
It looks in on 65-year-old Tessa Adams after the death of her husband, Jack, has left her struggling to find her way in unfamiliar territory. Trapped in her grief, she’s unable to imagine a life that might still offer happiness and fulfillment.
Complicating matters are the marital problems between Tessa’s daughter, Gwen, and her husband, Matt – parents to twin boys. Unsure if or how to help, Tessa tries to remain neutral. But escalating tensions result in an argument between mother and daughter, after which Gwen makes it clear to Tessa that she is no longer welcome in her life, effectively keeping her from her beloved grandsons as well.
Cut off from the only family she has left, Tessa gradually begins to rebuild her life and make new friends. She finds herself offering encouragement and support to the women she comes to know, including recently divorced 60-year-old Deanna, and Juliana, a young mother trying to escape from her abuser. But will Tessa be able to overcome her own fears and build a new future for herself?
Low-Vision Golf Clinic at The Lake Club
POLAND, Ohio – Sight for All United’s second annual Low‑Vision Golf Clinic will take place June 1 at The Lake Club, in partnership with Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries and Envision Blind Sports.
This hands-on clinic is designed to introduce and expand golf skills for individuals with low vision in a supportive environment.
The morning will begin with breakfast from 9:30-11 a.m., followed by the golf clinic from 11 a.m. to noon. Participants will learn core golf fundamentals, including chipping, driving and putting, while building confidence, improving coordination and connecting with peers who share similar experiences.
The clinic is free for athletes and open to individuals age 6 and up, regardless of golf background or level of vision. Whether participants are first-time golfers or have prior experience with the game, the clinic is structured to meet athletes where they are and encourage growth at their own pace.
“This clinic is about more than learning golf,” said Leah Sakacs, executive director of Sight for All United. “It’s about access, confidence and community. By removing financial and social barriers, we’re creating opportunities for athletes with low vision to participate fully in recreational sports.”
Athlete registration, volunteer sign‑up and sponsorship commitments must be completed by May 15. Those interested can learn more and register HERE.
Concert at Westminster College
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – The Westminster College School of Music will host a spring gala concert featuring the wind ensemble, symphonic band and a special alumni wind ensemble at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2, in Orr Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public.
Aaron D. Himes, Westminster director of bands, will be joined by guest conductors R. Tad Greig, conductor emeritus, and Ryan Keeling, director of choral activities at Westminster, for the performance.
Pictured at top: A 1925 Goodyear blimp, as shown in the documentary “Icon in the Sky: 100 Years of the Goodyear Blimp.”