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Who Knew Wednesday

249 years of America!

We are just ONE YEAR way from the 250th birthday of the United States of America!

We are celebrating with the July First Friday tomorrow (on a Thursday) with Experience Mount Vernon, and then fireworks all around the county on Friday night, including Mount Vernon’s celebration at Ariel-Foundation Park!

We are going to be giving away a Grab a Sip, Take a Dip, Turn It Up prize basket, featuring a $15 Happy Bean gift card, a Family 4 Pack of One-Day Passes to the Hiawatha Water Park and Pool, a WNZR Bluetooth Speaker, and stuffed with many WNZR goodies as well! Find us at Big Blue next to the Dog Fountain at the Mount Vernon Public Square, and you can get registered to win!

Today is also Made in the USA Day!

Joel Joseph of the Made in the USA Foundation created Made In The USA Day in 1989. The biggest reason for founding this day was to signify American-made products and support the domestic manufacturing sector!

This establishment helped in more ways than just one. First, it would signify the importance of American manufacturing to the economy, and it would also encourage consumers to support American goods production. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also plays a key role in this observance. That’s because the agency regulates the labels and marks that signify the country of origin.

So what are some products you wouldn’t have expected to be American-made? Well for starters, the classic No. 2 pencil is still made in the USA, since the 20th century. The red SOLO cup is also made in the U.S., along with Charmin and Angel Soft toilet paper as well!

Today we played a game of Who Am I?. Here are the five biographical questions about our mystery, patriotic, famous person:

  1. I was born on July 2, 1908, in Baltimore, Maryland.
  2. After I was denied admission to the University of Maryland Law School due to segregation, I graduated first in my class from Howard University School of Law in 1933.
  3. I founded the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, which became a powerful legal arm in the fight for civil rights.
  4. In Brown v. Board of Education, I served as lead attorney, and successfully argued this landmark Supreme Court case, which ruled racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
  5. President Lyndon Johnson appointed me as the first African American Supreme Court Justice, where I served until 1991.

I am… Thurgood Marshall! Congratulations to Kathy from Mount Vernon for calling in and guessing me correctly, taking home that $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica! Tune into the Afternoon Drive tomorrow for Praise Thursday, where we take time to worship God and read some encouraging devotionals!

Thank you so much for listening!
– Joe and Ethan

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Happy Reserves Day!

Reserves Day is a vibrant celebration dedicated to acknowledging the contributions of reservists who balance civilian life with military duties.

These individuals commit their time to serve in the Reserve Forces and are ready to support national security whenever needed. This day highlights their role and brings recognition for their dedication and service!

We got to talk with Faith West today, who is a recent graduate of MVNU and an intern with the Knox County Convention and Visitors Bureau! In her senior year at MVNU, she was able to balance being a student, finishing senior projects, being an intern, and serving as an Air Force Reservist. Her decision towards becoming a reserve stemmed from a heart of wanting to serve, and her family, who is also involved in the military, helped her get involved, and they helped her get involved!

You can find us on the road with Big Blue this weekend in Centerburg! You can catch us on site and broadcasting on the air in studio on Thursday 5-8pm and on Saturday Noon-2pm! We’ll be giving away Family 4 Packs of One Day Passes to the Hiawatha Water Park and Pool while we’re there. To get signed up, find Big Blue at the festival!

Here were today’s 5 biographical facts about our mystery person:

  1. I was born Eric Arthur Blair on June 25, 1903, in Motihari, British India.
  2. I later adopted a pen name for my writing.
  3. I am best known for the dystopian novels 1984 and Animal Farm.
  4. I served in the British Imperial Police in Burma (now Myanmar) and later fought against fascism in the Spanish Civil War.
  5. I died of tuberculosis on January 21, 1950, at age 46. My work remains highly influential in literature, politics, and discussions about surveillance and personal freedom.

I am… George Orwell. Congratulations to Tim from Mount Vernon for calling in and guessing me correctly, taking home that $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica! Tune in tomorrow for Praise Thursday and a game of Name That Tune!

Thank you so much for listening!
– Joe and Ethan

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Did You Know This About Summer?

Did you know young sunflowers move with the sun and follow it during the day to get as much sunlight as they can so they can grow big and strong? That’s so cool!

For Who Knew Wednesday today, we went over some super fun facts about summer as the season kicks off with the Summer Solstice on Friday, June 20th!

The Summer Solstice is when the Earth is tilted closest to the sun, making it the longest day of the year! To celebrate this day, you can watch the beautiful sunrise or sunset on Friday, and if the sky is clear, you can stargaze at the beautiful stars. If you look closely, you might be able to spot some planets up there in the sky as well, like Venus and Mars!

– Image Credit: Redbubble

Do you like to eat popsicles on a hot summer day? Did you know popsicles were created by accident? That’s right! In 1905, a man named Frank Epperson accidentally left a mixing stick in water and a soda mixture outside in the cold night, and came back to it, and it had become a frozen and delicious treat! He called it the ‘Epsicle’, which would be renamed later to the ‘popsicle’ after his kids came up with the name! It’s so cool to see what God can use out of a happy accident like that!

We played Who Am I? today! This is where you get five biographical facts about a famous person born today, and you try to guess who it is! Here were the facts:

  1. I was born today in a small town in Oklahoma and wrote my first song when I was just 15 years old.
  2. I’ve won 10 CMA awards, 6 ACM awards, and I’ve had over 25 No. 1 country hits.
  3. I was a longtime coach on NBC’s The Voice, where I led multiple contestants to win the competition!
  4. I’m married to the pop star Gwen Stefani, who was also a coach on NBC’s The Voice, and we released a few songs together.
  5. I became a Grand Ole Opry member in 2010!

I am… Blake Shelton.

Congratulations to Brandon from Danville for guessing me correctly! He won that $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica! Tune in tomorrow for Name That Tune!

Thank you so much for listening!
– Ethan Hershberger

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Son and moon? Who knew?

SonFest is back this fall at MVNU and it will look different!

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is excited to announce updates are in store for SonFest 2025, MVNU’s premier one-day Christian music festival. Scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, SonFest will now be held in the newly renovated R.R. Hodges Chapel/Auditorium, making it a rain-or-shine event for the first time.

The 2025 lineup features a powerful lineup of worship, alternative rock, and faith-driven performances, headlined by ELEVATION RHYTHM. Also taking the stage are acclaimed artists John Mark McMillan, Citizens, and central Ohio favorite Rock City Worship, with more artists to be announced.

ELEVATION RHYTHM is the youth expression of Elevation Church (Charlotte, N.C.), crafting music for the next generation to sing, dance, and worship.

Tickets are on sale now at mvnu.edu/sonfest. Due to venue capacity, concert tickets are limited. A full festival schedule will be released soon.

  • General admission: $40
  • Limited availability VIP admission: $75 (includes a Meet-and-Greet with artists and early entry)
  • Group sales (10 to 50 tickets) or Children ages 4-10: $25
  • Children 3-and-under: Free (must sit on a lap)

In true SonFest tradition, the event will feature outdoor activities throughout the day, free and open to everyone. Attendees can also enjoy a variety of food trucks and a vendor tent for shopping and refreshments. Please note: Concert entry requires a ticket; outdoor festivities are free and open to all.

For the latest updates, visit the link above or follow @mvnu1968 on social media. CLICK HERE to hear Xander’s conversation with Ben Slater and Zoe Bricker!

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Last night, the United States witnessed a stunning celestial event: the Strawberry Moon climbed into the night sky. Named after the wild strawberry harvest, this June full moon offered more than just seasonal charm—it broke expectations by appearing at its lowest point in the Northern Hemisphere in nearly two decades. This rare alignment, known as a major lunar standstill, won’t happen again until 2043.

Time Magazine and the London Times reported that the moonrise began just after sunset on the evening of June 10. Peaking at 3:44 a.m. Eastern Time, it hovered near the southeast horizon on the U.S. East Coast. Its proximity to the horizon amplified its size—thanks to the “moon illusion”—and its color shifted to soft golden-orange, tinted by atmospheric scattering

As the first full moon after the summer solstice approaches, its Sagittarius backdrop and energetic feel have inspired celebrations of renewal and growth.

Check out this photo from the BBC!

I was born on June 11, 1913, to an Italian-American family and grew up in a tight-knit Catholic household.

I played college football at Fordham University, where I was one of the famed “Seven Blocks of Granite” on the offensive line.

I became head coach of the Green Bay Packers in 1959 and led the team to five NFL Championships, including the first two Super Bowl victories (Super Bowls I and II).

I was known for my tough, inspirational leadership and for my famous quote, “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.”

After my death in 1970 from cancer, the Super Bowl trophy was renamed in my honor.

Who Am I? Vince Lombardi. Congratulations to Phillip from Fredericktown, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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Who Knew Cats Like Hugs?

Well, maybe some do… others maybe not so much. Today is Who Knew Wednesday, and we talked about some of the national days that land on June 4th!

Today is National Hug Your Cat Day! Whether you’re a dog or cat person, this day is sure to bring some smiles to these playful and flexible house pets. Let me know in the comments if you’re a dog or cat person, and what breed it is! It’s so cool to see all of the different types that God has made!

So how can you celebrate this day? Why, just simply give your cat a hug if you have one. If you don’t have a cat, I suppose a dog or even a friend will suffice! See how long you can hug your cat can go until they get bored or try to squirm away. Deep down they’ll know you love them.

Today is also National Cheese Day! I’d love to hear your favorite cheese in the comments. Mine has got to be mozzarella just because of how good it tastes on pizza and as stuffed crust! I’m interested to hear what you like the most!

You can celebrate this today by trying a new kind of cheese, or scour your fridge, grab all the cheese, and have yourself a feast trying all the different kinds!

On top of all of that, it’s National Christian T-Shirt Day! Put on your favorite artists’ merch, or make your own t-shirt to celebrate! People might ask you about your shirt if you go out with it. You could come across a great opportunity to tell someone about Jesus, who may not know much about Him yet!

Who knows… maybe if you have a t-shirt from your favorite artist, you could run into them in public, and it would be a really cool encounter!

Today we played a game of Who Am I?, which is where we give you five biographical facts about a person, and you guess who it is! Here were the five facts:

  1. I was born today, in 1975 in Los Angeles California, and previously married to Brad Pitt.
  2. I gained major recognition for my role in “Girl, Interrupted”, which earned me an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
  3. I became an international actions star by portraying Lara Croft, the video game heroine in Tomb Raider, and I was in the movie in 2001.
  4. I also portrayed the iconic Disney villain Maleficent, which reimagined the classic “Sleeping Beauty” story from the villain’s point of view.
  5. I served as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and later as a Special Envoy, focusing on refugee and humanitarian crises.

I am… Angelina Jolie. Congratulations to Ester from Mount Vernon for calling in and guessing me correctly, and winning that $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

If you want a chance to win that $5 gift card, tune in tomorrow for a game of Name That Tune. Listen to a clip of a song with us and be the first caller to guess the song and artist. We’ll see you there!

Thank you so much for listening!
– Ethan Hershberger

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Ice Cream, Tea and Yoda?

Today we celebrated National Tea and National Talk Like Yoda Day!

I’m sure you’re wondering ‘How on earth do I celebrate National Talk Like Yoda Day?’ Well to align yourself with Yoda grammar, just flip around your nouns and verbs when you speak sentences, and pretty soon, you’ll be speaking exactly like this little green humanoid. Speak like Yoda you can!

We also celebrated National Tea Day! Now, celebrating this today is a very simple task. All you need to do, is just enjoy your favorite kind of tea… OR try a brand new kind of tea! If you’re not a tea person, well maybe give tea one last wholehearted attempt at redemption today! If it doesn’t deliver, then maybe coffee or hot chocolate are a good close second for today.

We shared some fun facts about an upcoming On The Road With Big Blue event– The Utica Ice Cream Festival! We’re going to be in the parade, throwing out candy and frisbees, and giving out gift cards all afternoon long! There’s so much to do during the festival, you can click here to check out the parade route, the schedule, and the plethora of activities you can enjoy all weekend!

We played a Who Am I? today, where we give you five clues about a mystery person. See if you can guess who this is:

  1. My birth name is Laurence Tureaud. I was born on May 21, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois.
  2. I served in the U.S. Army as a military policeman and was awarded the title of “Top Trainee of the Cycle” during basic training.
  3. I am best known for the catchphrase “I pity the fool!,” after my role as Clubber Lang in the film Rocky III.
  4. I also gained widespread fame playing B.A. Baracus on the hit 1980’s TV series The A-Team.
  5. I am easily recognized by my Mohawk hairstyle and by wearing large amounts of gold chains and jewelry.

I am… Mr. T! Congratulations to Tammy from Fredericktown for calling in and correctly guessing, winning that $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Thank you for listening!
– Joe and Ethan

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Biscuits, doggies and chicken dances?

Yes – the most random headline you could have addresses all of these celebrations today – May 14th!

National Buttermilk Biscuit Day
We’re not really sure why today was decided to recognize these delicious golden cakes of bread. What we do know is you can celebrate simply by eating one! There are so many different ways to enjoy one– You can slap on some butter and jelly for breakfast, or throw in some chicken and have yourself a dinner feast!

International Chihuahua Appreciation Day
On this day, we celebrate these little energetic pups! This international day was established five years ago, by former Miss British Columbia, Nadia Alterio. She was the proud of a little chihuahua, named Teaka! Our favorite way of celebrating this day was to get on the couch with your furry friend, and watch movies featuring chihuahuas, like “Beverly Hills Chihuahua”.

National ‘Dance Like a Chicken’ Day
The origins of this song date back to the 1950s! A Swiss accordionist named Werner Thomas, and this goofy, fun melody was heard a lot amongst social gatherings. The original inspiration for the name of this song was when Thomas was watching skiers with their arms tucked in, kind of how a bird carries its wings. While we don’t know why today is National Dance Like A Chicken Day, we’re gonna celebrate it because we love to dance like a chicken!

  1. I was born on May 14, 1944, in Modesto, California.
  2. I studied cinematography at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts.
  3. I am known for films like American Graffiti, but my biggest film released in 1977 and was about a group of rebels fighting against the Galactic Empire.
  4. My production company is responsible for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and the pioneering visual effects company Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).
  5. I sold the production company that carries my name to The Walt Disney Company for over $4 billion in 2012.

I am… George Lucas! Congratulations to Kari from Newark who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Ethan and Joe

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Bike Rides: A Staple of Summer!

If you know, you know. Riding my bike until it got dark out is one of my favorite memories as a kid. On the bike, I could be anything. Superman flying through the skies. Spider-Man swinging through New York…or just a kid with a scraped up knee. Either way, summer time is for bike rides. At least, that’s how I see it.

It’s National Take Your Bike to School Day on The Afternoon Drive, and we’re wondering for Who Knew Wednesday if you’ve ever rode your bike to school or work? I tried once, and it didn’t work out too well…

The Ohio State Fair is offering Advanced Sale Admission Tickets at a discount price of $8, and you can use them for any single day entry during the Ohio State Fair, July 23 – Aug. 3! Tickets are available here! ticketmaster.com/ohiostatefair

-I was an NBA Point Guard and Coach

-I won two NBA Championships with the Detroit Pistons, and was also a 12-time all-star

-I was named as one of the 50 Greatest NBA Players of All-time

I am…Isaiah Thomas! Congratulation to Chris from Gambier, he wins TWO $5 Gift Cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Thanks for listening- Judah

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Puppy Love!

Who doesn’t love their furry friends? It’s National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, so we wanna know: what’s your favorite kind of pet, right now or from your childhood.

Jennifer shared about her family’s beloved cows, including May, Larry and Judith. Her family calls May miracle May, because she was born during a severe ice storm in the open, and 12 years later is beautiful and healthy! They also have quite a few chickens, but Jennifer says they have yet to name those.

-I was an NBA Point Guard and Coach

-I won two NBA Championships with the Detroit Pistons, and was also a 12-time all-star

-I was named as one of the 50 Greatest NBA Players of All-time

I am….a stumper! Tune in next week for your chance to win!

Thanks for listening!-Judah

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