🌟 Memorial Day Weekend 2026 🌟 Patriotic TV Specials, New Mystery, and More ➤➤

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Wishing you all a nice Memorial Day weekend...

On this Memorial Day, we remember the brave men and women of our military who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

What a meaningful time it is, as our country approaches her 250th birthday, to proudly fly our American flags, to gather with dear family and friends for backyard barbecues, enjoy picnics in the park, and small-town parades. These simple moments are beautiful reminders of how precious our freedoms truly are.

If you have plans this weekend, you'll want to set your DVR now. Or if you plan to be home, then I hope you'll enjoy some patriotic programming, perhaps settle in for a new mystery, or watch the latest episode of County Rescue, which honors our military through the inspiring charitable work of Tunnel to Towers. I’ve included these programming highlights below.


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Saturday, May 23, 2026:

True Justice: Eye for An Eye

Storyline: Our Warriors work to exonerate a mother wrongly accused of murdering another mother in the Parent School Coalition.

True Justice: Eye for An Eye

Premieres Saturday, May 23, 2026

at 8pm/7c on the Hallmark Channel

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Sunday, May 24, 2026:

County Rescue

Season 3 - Episode 2

Episode 2 - Somewhere Far More Beautiful:
The County Rescue team provides support for the Tunnels 2 Towers marathon as Andy meets the new team members.

County Rescue

Season 3 - Episode 2

Premieres Sunday, May 24, 2026

at 8pm/7c on Great American Family

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Sunday, May 24, 2026:

2026 National Memorial Day Concert

Live from the U.S. Capitol, the National Memorial Day Concert features stories, tributes, and musical performances by world-renowned artists and the National Symphony Orchestra, with a special tribute of the country’s 250th anniversary.

Hosted by Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise with performances by Noah Wyle, Melissa Leo, Andy Grammer, Jonathan Banks, Mickey Guyton, Jamey Johnson, Alan Jackson, Mary McCormack, Laura Osnes, Blessing Offor and Maestro Jack Everly conducting the National Symphony Orchestra.

The 2026 National Memorial Day Concert

airs Sunday, May 24, 2026

at 8/7c. on PBS

on the eve of Memorial Day

(Please check your local listings.)

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Monday, May 25, 2026

Memorial Day Marathons

Memorial Day Marathons / Patriotic Programming

Columbo - Great American Family
Reba - UPtv
Matlock (original series) - Hallmark Mystery
Wedding-themed movies - Hallmark Channel
Patriotic movies (For Love & Honor, Love and Sunshine) - Hallmark Family
Patriotic movies (including The Best Years of Our Lives) - FMC
Patriotic/Military movies (all weekend) - TCM



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Monday, May 25, 2026

Marking the 25th as we

Countdown to Christmas!

This Monday, May 25th, also marks 7 months 'til Christmas Day!

We love celebrating every 25th day of the month here at It's a Wonderful Movie as part of our Countdown to Christmas tradition... and whether you join in every month or if you've never participated, you’re warmly invited to join along!

If you'll be watching something merry and Christmassy on the 25th (or anytime over this long weekend), please share with us in comments.

In honor of Memorial Day, I've decided to watch one of my favorites, The Christmas Card. This year marks the 20th Anniversary of this beloved Hallmark classic!

I’ve always appreciated how this patriotic film honors the courage and sacrifice of those who have served our country, especially the heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice. And I just love the way the Spelman family works closely together in their family-owned lumber business. It truly is a wonderful film filled with comforting small-town charm, a lovely little country church, and a sweet romance that will always hold a special place in my heart!

If you happen to find a little quiet time during what may be a busy Memorial Day weekend, I’d love for you to join in the Christmas fun. And of course, please share which Christmas movie you chose in the comments below!


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I pray you all have a peaceful, safe, and relaxing Memorial Day Weekend.

We are deeply blessed to live in a country where we can enjoy our freedoms, and we honor those courageous heroes who have fought to protect them!

God Bless America!!!❤️☆💙

Blessings to you all,

Net

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SHINING HIS LIGHT:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

~ Joshua 1:9

🎄✨ Christmas in July 2026 Coming to the Hallmark Channel - SEE HERE:

Christmas in July excitement is already beginning! 🎄✨

According to Hallmark Channel’s website, lots of beloved Christmas classics and recent holiday favorites are already popping up on the schedule for the June 27th - June 28th weekend and beyond!

Get ready for cozy Christmas magic with festive favorites like:

• A Royal Christmas
• Christmas with Holly
• Crown for Christmas
• A Make or Break Holiday
• A Biltmore Christmas
• Five Star Christmas
• My Christmas Love
• Mystery on Mistletoe Lane
• Northern Lights of Christmas
• Snow Bride
• The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
• Time for You to Come Home for Christmas
• We Met in December
…and MANY more holiday treats to come!!!

I’ll be sharing more Christmas movie scheduling details soon, so stay tuned for lots more merry movie fun ahead!

Note: For those of you who may be wondering, I'm not seeing a week or weekend dedicated to Christmas movies on Hallmark Mystery, so far. If there are any updates or changes there, I'll be sure to let you know.

May your day be 

Merry & Bright!❤️💚

Net

Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries - My Review of the Birthday Episode...

Just wanted to share a quick review of the newest episode of Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries, airing tonight on UPtv at 9pm/8c.

Episode 5 is titled "Simply Vanished." In this episode, a hidden chute at the gift shop leads Cheryl to a decades-old disappearance — and a birthday she’ll never forget.

The mystery itself is quite intriguing, involving the discovery of lost items connected to events from around 40 years ago. But honestly, what I loved most about this episode was finally getting to meet Cheryl Cooper’s family, her parents and brother, as they come to Sugarcreek to celebrate her birthday.

As Cheryl’s birthday dinner unfolds at the Miller family home, the Cooper family, who are Christian, share a deeply meaningful discussion of faith with the Miller family, who are Amish. There’s even a beautiful conversation centered around accepting Christ as one’s Savior that I found especially touching and inspiring. The family scenes throughout this episode are truly warm and memorable.

If you’ve been enjoying this series, this is definitely one episode you won’t want to miss!

And Cheryl’s birthday gift from the Millers is incredibly sweet and thoughtful. It’s becoming more and more clear that Cheryl and Levi share a very special bond and those around them are beginning to notice it more and more, too.

Happy watching!

Net

images credit: screenshots via UPtv

"Blue Ridge" Season 2 To Premiere This Summer on INSP

Great news, "Blue Ridge" fans! Season 2 is officially premiering this summer - Sunday, July 19th, on INSP!

Get ready for another thrilling season packed with adventure, danger, justice, and the relentless pursuit of keeping law and order in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The outstanding main cast is returning, including Johnathon Schaech, Sarah Lancaster, Taegen Burns, and A Martinez, all of whom are featured in the poster above.

Plus, season 2 will introduce some exciting guest stars along the way, including Sarah Drew, Eric Close, Jesse Hutch, Kristoffer Polaha, Keith Carradine, the return of Bruce Boxleitner as Oak Miller, and more... adding even more intrigue, drama, and unexpected twists to the action-packed adventure!

Be sure to check out the press release below for all the details for "Blue Ridge" Season 2 and the brand-new trailer.


Press Release via Imagicomm Entertainment:

“BLUE RIDGE: THE SERIES”

RETURNS TO INSP

FOR SEASON TWO

JULY 19

Indian Land, SC – May 19, 2026 Imagicomm Entertainment today announced that season two of the critically acclaimed drama “Blue Ridge: The Series” will premiere on INSP Sunday, July 19 at 10 p.m. EST. Based on the original feature film BLUE RIDGE, “Blue Ridge: The Series” premiered in 2024 to rave reviews and hit the Top 5 and overall Top 10 rankings on Amazon Prime Video.

Johnathon Schaech (“That Thing You Do!,” “Texas Rising,” “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow”) returns with Sarah Lancaster (“Chuck,” “Everwood,” “Christmas in the Smokies”), Taegen Burns (“The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers,” “The Right Stuff”), Tom Proctor (“Ballad of Buster Scruggs,” “Justified”) and A Martinez (“Longmire,” “The Cowboys”) to the small Appalachian town of Blue Ridge. Creator Gary Wheeler returns as showrunner, writer, and director.

“Blue Ridge” season two brings new threats to the Appalachian town, from bounty hunters, moonshiners, murderers and more. With help from his deputies and family, Sheriff Justin Wise fights to keep the community safe. Every case tests his grit, loyalty, and the limits of small-town peace. In Blue Ridge, justice is personal and earned one fight, one mystery, one truth at a time.

“Season two of ‘Blue Ridge: The Series,’ will build on the momentum of the franchise with an incredible cast and number of amazing guest stars,” said Dale Ardizzone, COO, INSP. “We were extremely happy to see how well ‘Blue Ridge’ performed across our network and streaming platforms and are looking forward to an even bigger audience in season two.”

Guest stars for season two include A.J. Buckley (“CSI: NY, Seal Team”), Bruce Boxleitner (“How the West Was Won Series”), Keith Carradine (“The Power of the Dog”), Eric Close (“Without a Trace”), Sarah Drew (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Sean Patrick Flanery (“The Dead Zone”), Zachary Gordon (“Diary of a Wimpy Kid”), Chelsea Green (WWE Champion), Doug Jones (“Hellboy”), Kellan Lutz (“The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”) and Kristoffer Polaha (“Land Man”).

INSP fans can catch up on Season 1 of “Blue Ridge: The Series” by watching on INSP starting Sunday, June 7 or on the FAST channel Western Bound beginning July 29. You can also catch Blue Ridge season one on YouTube via its Western Bound channel beginning May 18.

About Blue Ridge: The Series
Sheriff Justin Wise and his two deputies fight to protect the small Appalachian town of Blue Ridge from the forces trying to rip it apart. Longstanding feuds, disgruntled criminals, unruly travelers, and cold-blooded murderers wreak havoc – threatening the safety of the citizens Justin has promised to protect. Based on the 2020 film of the same name, Blue Ridge breaks the mold of traditional procedural dramas, bringing action, heroism, and heart to every investigation.

About INSP
INSP is available nationwide to more than 40M households via MVPDs including DISH (channel 259), DIRECTV (channel 364), Comcast Xfinity, Cox Communications, Charter Spectrum, National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC), Verizon Fios (channel 286), AT&T U-verse (channel 564) and on vMVPDs including SLING TV, Philo, Frndly TV, Vidgo and FreeCast. INSP provides a trusted viewing experience with a lineup of exclusive and original series, timeless Westerns, action-filled dramas, and films focused on adventure and heroic characters.

About Imagicomm Entertainment
Imagicomm Entertainment is a multi-media distribution company focusing on films and episodic series with content ranging from action and adventure to drama and family holiday celebration. Each project embodies an unparalleled commitment to strong storytelling, memorable characters, and high production values.


Trailer:

Season 2 - 8 Episodes:
(details via TVGuide)

Episode 1: “Hope, Deferred”

Sheriff Justin Wise has his hands full when Bounty Hunter Hope Henry comes into town in pursuit of a fugitive who is accused of murdering her mentor.

Episode 2: “Going Around in Circles”

When a member of the Hughes racing dynasty ends up dead, it's up to Sheriff Justin Wise to solve the case involving rivals, lovers, and family secrets.

Episode 3: “Out of the Woods”

A father-daughter camping trip turns treacherous when Sheriff Justin Wise and Maddie accidentally discover the hideout of several dangerous drug dealers.

Episode 4: “Four-Rail Kick”

Sheriff Justin Wise's longtime childhood friend Bill Fraser unexpectedly comes to town for a visit, but he is not just here to see an old buddy. Bill is a pool hustler who has gotten behind on a gambling debt and he's running out of time to pay it off.

Episode 5: “The Return of Oak Miller”

A deadly new drug hits the hollers of Blue Ridge just as an old foe of Justin's arrives back in town. With no other options, Justin must form an unconventional alliance in order to stop the flow of drugs and bring this menace to justice.

Episode 6: “Montagues and Moonshine”

A murder at the local theater turns a production of Romeo and Juliet upside down as Justin and Maddie work together to discover the killer before the curtain falls on another victim.

Episode 7: “A Matter of Perspective”

After an officer involved shooting threatens to ignite a long-standing feud in Blue Ridge, Justin must wade through the fog of the incident to find the truth.

Episode 8: “Moving Mountains”

After a devastating landslide, Justin and Elli race against time to free and transport two injured people down a treacherous mountain pass to medical help before it is too late.


My Quick Take:

I hope you all will enjoy the new season of "Blue Ridge."

From high-stakes investigations to pulse-pounding action and heartfelt family moments, it looks like season 2 will continue to deliver excitement at every turn!

Note of caution: Due to intense crime-fighting drama and violence, this show (in my opinion) is not for young viewers.

In addition to the incredible lineup of guest stars mentioned in the press release above, also be sure to look for Jesse Hutch (“Crossroad Springs”), Melissa Ordway Gaston (“Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries”), Nick Gonzales (“Christmas on the Range”), and Annabeth Gish (“The Warrant”) in season 2!

Please share your thoughts in comments below.

Hope you enjoy the show!

Blessings, Net

*Stream Season 1 of Blue Ridge on YouTube

or on Amazon Prime

(currently free with Prime Membership)
*Click here for details*

"Hannah Swensen" and "County Rescue" Are Back with a Fresh Batch of Mystery and Medical Drama

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Happy mid-May weekend, everyone! Check out what's on the menu this weekend!

The Hallmark Channel is serving up an all-new helping of suspense with Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, where Hannah is once again mixing together her baked desserts and small-town sleuthing!

Meanwhile, over on Great American Family, the medical drama County Rescue returns with its Season Three premiere. Filled with faith, courage, and heartfelt moments, the series continues to follow dedicated first responders as they face personal challenges and their calling to serve others.

🚨Note: I watched the first episode of County Rescue early on Great American Pure Flix, and just wanted to share that due to the intensity of some medical issues and life-saving emergencies, County Rescue is (in my opinion) best suited for mature preteen age and up. This premiere episode is 1 hour and 30 minutes long (with commercials). It's intense and emotional, but also inspiring to see how these close friends, even when times are tough, care for and lean on each other.

See more details for County Rescue and the new Hannah Swensen Mystery below...


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Saturday, May 16, 2026:

Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery

Storyline: When a suspect in a forgery case is murdered, and the prosecutor goes missing, Hannah and Chad must uncover how the two cases are connected and solve them in time for the trial.

Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery

Premieres Saturday, May 16, 2026

at 8pm/7c on the Hallmark Channel

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Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17, 2026:

Alison Sweeney's

Classic Mystery Movie Marathon

Note: While the new Hannah Swensen premiere airs on the Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Mystery will air a marathon of Alison Sweeney's Chronicle Mysteries with Benjamin Ayres on Saturday and Murder, She Baked with Cameron Mathison on Sunday!

Hallmark Mystery - Saturday:

Chronicle Mysteries: Recovered - 10am
Chronicle Mysteries: The Wrong Man - 12pm
Chronicle Mysteries: Vines that Bind - 2pm
Chronicle Mysteries: The Deep End - 4pm
Chronicle Mysteries: Helped to Death - 6pm

Hallmark Mystery - Sunday:

Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery - 10am
Murder, She Baked: A Plum Pudding Mystery - 12pm
Murder, She Baked: A Peach Cobbler Mystery - 2pm
Murder, She Baked: A Deadly Recipe - 4pm
Murder, She Baked: Just Desserts - 8pm



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Sunday, May 17, 2026:

County Rescue

Season 3 - Episode 1

Episode 1 - Leave the Light On: When tragedy hits the station, the County Rescue team must lean on each other to survive loss, rebuild resilience, and keep their faith.

County Rescue

Season 3 - Episode 1

Premieres Sunday, May 17, 2026

at 8pm/7c on Great American Family

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Sunday, May 17, 2026:

Rededicate 250:

A National Jubilee Of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving

(image via: https://freedom250.org)

Freedom 250 Invites All Americans to Come Together in Prayer and Worship Ahead of the Nation’s 250th Birthday.

On Sunday, May 17, 2026, the National Mall will be the scene of a historic gathering as Americans of every background across the country prepare for the nation’s 250th birthday with Scripture, testimony, prayer, and rededication of our country as One Nation to God. From morning fellowship in front of the U.S. Capitol to an evening filled with music anchored at the main stage on 12th Street, Rededicate 250 will be rooted in giving thanks for God’s presence in our national life throughout 250 years of American history and asking for his guidance for the next 250. (details via https://freedom250.org)

The program is expected to run from 10:30am to 6pm EST.

Among all of the many religious and political speakers, guests, and voices from entertainment, be sure to look for Two-time Tony Award Nominee, Actress, and Singer Laura Osnes, who will be performing along with the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard.

Various news channels will air this live, and it will also be available via livestream on Real America's Voice, CSPAN, TBN+, CBN, etc...

And more patriotic news for Laura Osnes! In case you missed it, she recently sang The National Anthem in support of Great American Media's newest initiative, "America Sings the Anthem." I've included Laura's beautiful rendition of our beloved anthem below.



In addition to these patriotic performances, be sure to look for Laura Osnes next weekend at the National Memorial Day Concert, airing on PBS - Sunday, May 24th. I'll have more details next week - so stay tuned!


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Happy watching this weekend!

Whether you're sleuthing alongside Alison Sweeney or catching the new season of County Rescue, there’s something intriguing to watch!

If you'd like to share a review for any of the new programming this weekend or any previous weekend, please feel free to share in the comments below.

Blessings to You All!

Net

☀️ SHINING HIS LIGHT: ☀️

'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

~Matthew 25: 35-40