Journal Sentinel Thanksgiving edition features Packers preview, holiday shopping guide, puzzles, more

Back in the day, when I was a Milwaukee Sentinel carrier, I used to hate the Thanksgiving Day newspaper. It was always by far the biggest – and heaviest – of the year for us, since we didn’t regularly face the Sunday editions of the old Journal.

My brother and I would sling one of those yellow canvas bags over each shoulder and lumber down the streets of Riverwest, having to climb each set of stairs because the papers were too big and awkward to fold together and toss to the porch.

Once we finished, though, we loved the paper – packed with stories, puzzles, and inserts from stores that sent us off to start making out Christmas lists before the football game.

Of course, I now recognize how much work goes into that newspaper, from reporters seeking out stories, to salespeople hustling to fill it with ads, to delivery crews working to get extra copies into stores and gas stations and newsstands across the state. I’m grateful for all of them this week, and we’re eager for you to see what we produced.

And all of us at the Journal Sentinel are grateful to our subscribers and advertisers. Thank you.

Once again, think of the Thanksgiving paper as a two-day edition, on doorsteps and newsstands Wednesday. Here’s some of what you’ll find in it – with a few notes about what to expect throughout the rest of week, in print and online:

• A look at the largest landlord city residents have never heard of, and whether the out-of-state firm’s financial troubles will affect residents and neighborhoods in Milwaukee.

• A story focused on how gratitude improves our emotional responses and decision-making skills – and how to practice it on a daily basis. And one on "The Fridge," an effort in Green Bay to eliminate food waste and provide fresh food those who need it most.

• You can get a jump on holiday shopping with a look at local stores with unique gift items – one of many “Shop Local” stories you’ll see this week and beyond.

• The Packers renew their rivalry with the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, and there will be a full game-day preview, including five things to watch and our staff predictions. And we’ll have a detailed look at all of the sports on TV over the long weekend, from college matchups to the NFL.

• We’ll also have a look at the Wednesday night game between the Bucks and the Celtics, the first matchup of the two NBA heavyweights since a series of trades sent Bucks fan favorite Jrue Holiday to Boston.

• Columnist Lori Nickel will have a look at the winner of the Lakefront Marathon, and what he did with his prize money.

• Dining critic Rachel Bernhard will share with readers what she is thankful for on the restaurant scene and our features team offers a look at local beers you can pair with Thanksgiving dinner, and recommendations from local chefs on easy-to-prepare appetizers for your Packers gathering.

• We'll have our annual guide to where and when you can see classic holiday movies on TV, and through streaming services.

• Finally, of course, there will be plenty of puzzles and games and inserts and ads, including our Big Book of Savings, featuring specials from retailers throughout the area.

Beyond that newspaper, watch for coverage online and in print of Black Friday beer sales, a look at the changing world of malls and what they are doing to survive, and a story of a mystical meeting at AmFam Field.

And, of course, we’ll have coverage of the Packers and Bucks and college basketball – with Marquette playing in Hawaii and Wisconsin heading to Florida for early-season tournaments, among other action.

So, pick up your copy starting Wednesday, dig in and enjoy. And, if you like what you see, the best bet to subscribe is always to go to jsonline.com/deal).

Thank you for reading and Happy Thanksgiving.

Greg Borowski is executive editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @GregJBorowski and reach him via greg.borowski@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Journal Sentinel Thanksgiving edition features news, puzzles, coupons