WNZR

A 4th of July Mystery Monday!

Welcome to another hot week here in Mt. Vernon!
Since we won’t be doing a show on Wednesday, we decided to take today to talk about the 4th of July! We also had an 4th themed Mystery Question!

Our Mystery Question today was…
“What was the country and the time period in which fireworks were invented?”

The answer? China, and as early as 200 bc.
Congrats to Becky from Fredericktown!
She correctly guessed!

It is thought that, as early as 200 B.C., the Chinese had already stumbled upon a sort of natural firecracker: They would roast bamboo, which explodes with a bang when heated due to its hollow air pockets, in order to ward off evil spirits.

At some point between 600 and 900 A.D., Chinese alchemists—perhaps hoping to discover an elixir for immortality—mixed together saltpeter (potassium nitrate, then a common kitchen seasoning), charcoal, sulfur and other ingredients, unwittingly yielding an early form of gunpowder. The Chinese began stuffing the volatile substance into bamboo shoots that were then thrown into the fire to produce a loud blast. The first fireworks were born.

Want to catch the fireworks in your area this week?
Check out our guide to Ohio fireworks!

Mt. Vernon – July 4th
10:00pm at Ariel Foundation Park
Fireworks are preceded by the Central Ohio Brass Band at 4 p.m. and Beginnings, the Ultimate Chicago Tribute Band at 8 p.m.
Coshocton – July 3rd
10:00pm – Coshocton County Fairgrounds
Ashland – July 4th
9:30pm – Community Stadium
Westerville – July 4th
10:00pm – Alum Creek Park South
Utica – July 4th
9:45pm – South End Park
Mansfield – July 7
Dusk – Charles Mill Lake Park
Fredericktown – July 4th
10:00pm – Celebration Community Park

And just a friendly reminder that fireworks are dangerous and they’re scary to a lot of people and pets.

Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
Don’t bring your pets to a fireworks display, even a small one.
If fireworks are being used near your home, put your pet in a safe, interior room to avoid exposure to the sound.
Never shoot fireworks of any kind (consumer fireworks, sparklers, fountains, etc.) near pets.
Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and place in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.

Read more about how to stay safe this 4th from the NFPA and the National Council on Fireworks Safety!

Of course, it’s not the Afternoon Drive (Nor the 4th of July) without sharing some delicious dishes! Just in case you needed almost infinite meal options… we’re here.
The dishes with a * next to them denote what I would use as my personal menu.

Starters and Salads…
Watermelon, Feta and Mint Salad*
Parmesean Garlic Grilled Corn
Tomato, Onion and Roasted Lemon Salad
Charred Caprese Sandwich Appetizer
Ina Garten’s Potato Salad

Drinks
Berry, Melon and Mint Iced Tea
Bobby Flay’s Blueberry Lemonade
Old Fashioned Lemonade*
Ree Drummond’s Rasberry Lemonade
Raspberry Gingerale

Main Courses
Hawaiian Hot Dogs with Mango Salsa
Sweet Heat Cheerwine Babyback Ribs*
Loaded Lobster Roll
Aloha BBQ Sliders
Sticky Asian Grilled Chicken

Desserts!
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Strawberry Cucumber Ice Pops
Peach and Raspberry Cream Pops
Watermelon Granita*
Strawberry Mango Poundcake Shortcakes

Celebrate the summer the right way! By eating!!!

You can also celebrate your 4th of July by doing some fun family activities other than eating! Check out these 15 fun 4th activities! (4 of them do include eating though 🙂
Some highlights?
Host an outdoor cookout, make a festive craft, and head to the ball park!

We hope you have a fun and safe 4th of July!
– Lilly and the rest of the WNZR Family

July 2, 2018 0

The NZ Top 10 6/29!

Here’s the last countdown for the month of June!

10. Freedom Hymn – Austin French
9. Control – Tenth Avenue North
8. God of all my Days – Casting Crowns
7. All In – Matthew West
6. So Will I – Hillsong United
5. I Just Need U – TobyMac
4. Fear is a Liar – Zach Williams
3. Resurrection Power – Chris Tomlin
2. Grace Got You – MercyMe
1. Reckless Love – Cory Asbury

This week, we went back in time to the year 1998.
Check out Greg Long’s song ‘Mercy Said No” and
Steven Curtis Chapman with “I Will not go Quietly”.

For new music this week we heard from two incredible artists!
Check out “My Feet are on the Rock” from I Am They
and “Even Then” from Micah Tyler.

Thanks for listening!
Lilly and the Big Blue Crew

June 29, 2018 0

A Firm Foundation – Part 2

We continue our series from the book by Dr. Tony Evans, “Can God be Trusted in our Trials?”

Today we’ll keep our focus on laying a foundation that can withstand any trial.

Dr. Evans says being blown by the winds of a difficult trial is a poor time to discover that your spiritual Foundation is shaky or weak. Last week we talked about the house in Matthew 7 being built on sand or on rock. The difference between acting from a divine standpoint and a human standpoint.

So what is that difference?

A human viewpoint is one where we believe whatever we’re told by others to believe. A human viewpoint may make a person feel comfortable for a while (sand), but when the tide of life comes in, it gets swept away. The divine standpoint allows you to take the Word home and apply it (rock). Many times, the issue of whether we are wise or foolish is not what church we attend or how often we attend; but instead, what we do with God’s truth.

Hearing God’s word is not enough. In James 1:25 he reminds us that it is not the forgetful hearer, but instead the effectual doer, who will be blessed in what he does.

Dr. Evans reminds us that the storm that battered the two homes in Jesus story did not determine the two men’s foundations, it only exposed them. When you find a storm like this or run into a storm like this, you’d better have the right foundation. If Jesus is your foundation, you’ll be able to withstand the storm. But if he isn’t your foundation, you need to get started pouring a new one today. The middle of a crisis is a bad time to figure out that your house is shaking and shuddering as the foundation washes away.

Now you might be thinking, “I think that Jesus is my foundation but I’m really being battered by this trial. I’m scared to death and to be really honest, I’ve kind of been wondering if Jesus really knows what I’m going through.” If you’ve ever felt that way…you are not alone! Many Christians have had the same questions in the storm, which is why Mark 4 verses 35 through 41 are so important. They are a real life episode with Jesus and his disciples.

When Jesus and the disciples went over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, a huge storm came up and they were in trouble. The Greek word for the storm emphasizes that it came out of nowhere; one of those completely unexpected storms that the Sea of Galilee was famous for. The disciples were experienced fisherman, but they panicked. They turned around and looked at Jesus, but he was asleep in the stern of the boat. The disciples were upset and said in verse 38, “teacher do you not even care that we are perishing?” Dr. Evans paraphrases this: “Jesus we hate to bother you, but we could use a little help here. If you really care about us, get up and do something!”

Here’s the good news. Jesus got up and stilled the storm. That was the easy part. Then he turned to the Twelve and said in verse 40: “why are you afraid? How is it that you have no faith?” Jesus’ question may seem a little harsh, but he said it because his men had forgotten what he had said before they ever got in the boat. He said, “let us go over to the other side.” He did not intend for his disciples to go out halfway in the water and drown. Once again the Twelve had heard Jesus say this, but in the middle of their crisis they forgot what he said. So when you seem to be drowning, remember what Jesus said.

Did Jesus know that storm was coming? Of course. Did he send the disciples into it on purpose? Yes, he did. Why? To teach them the same lesson we need to learn over and over again: when you have Jesus, you have a foundation that is built with the storms of life in mind. Nothing surprises or overwhelms him. With Jesus as the foundation of your life, you can endure the storms of life and the battering that it brings. Nothing can tip over your boat when Jesus is in it.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

June 28, 2018 0

A USA Days Who Knew!

WE’RE ON THE ROAD!
Yes!

On The Road with Big Blue stops at the Heart of Ohio USA Days Festival in Centerburg, Wednesday through Saturday, 6/27 – 6/30! Join WNZR at Memorial Park in downtown Centerburg. Look for Big Blue in the park, near the main stage.

Make sure to stop by and register for a prize. We have prize baskets for everyone in the family. You can register at the Heart of Ohio USA Days Festival or online, HERE!

Adults, 18 and older, can register to win a basket including:

$80 dollars in gift certificates to Southside Diner;
$20 dollar gas gift card courtesy of Southside Diner;
Two On The Road with Big Blue T-Shirts;
One New International Version Bible;
One Lifeline car sunshade;
One Lifeline travel coffee mug;
One WNZR ceramic coffee mug;
One pair of Lifeline 2018 sunglasses;
Plus WNZR goodies including a Frisbee, guitar flyswatter, magnets, coasters, cups, hand fan and a jar opener!

Employees and immediate family members of Southside Diner and WNZR are NOT permitted to participate in this giveaway. Immediate family members are mother, father, spouse, child, brother or sister.

Here’s how the giveaway works:

At 2 p.m. on Saturday 6/30, we begin drawing names. If your name is announced, you have 9 minutes and 9 seconds to call (740) 392-9090 or come to the WNZR Tent located near the main stage in Memorial Park in Centerburg (at the Heart of Ohio USA Days Festival) to claim your prize.

Names will be drawn until four winners are secured.

Winners must be present or listening to WNZR, 90.9 FM to win. Winners must provide proof of identification when claiming the grand prize. Only the registered winner may claim the grand prize. Registration deadline is Saturday 6/30 at 12 p.m.

A complete list of rules is available at the WNZR Tent and online HERE.

KIDS of EVERY age can WIN at the Heart of Ohio USA Days Festival in Centerburg!

We’ll have a Kid’s ultimate summer fun prize basket to give away Wednesday through Saturday –that’s FOUR incredible baskets. Kids (10 and under) can register at the festival or online, HERE!

Kids – you could win a summer sand bucket packed full of goodies including:

Sidewalk chalk;
Bubbles;
Frisbees;
Water balloons;
One beach ball;
One water shooter;
One light-up bouncy ball;
Each basket winner will also receive a Children’s Bible, the VeggieTales DVD “Noah’s Ark – A Lesson in Trusting God”, the 2018 On The Road with Big Blue T-shirt and lots of WNZR goodies!

We will give away a kid’s prize basket every day of the festival. Winners will be drawn at random on the following days and times:

Wednesday 6/27: 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 6/28: 7:30 p.m.
Friday 6/29: 7:30 p.m.
Saturday 6/30: 4:30 p.m.

We also have an AWESOME student prize backpack for ages 11 – 17 courtesy of WNZR and the Office of Admissions at MVNU.

Students can register at the festival or online, HERE! You could win:

One MVNU Cougar drawstring backpack that is stuffed full of goodies!
Three T-Shirts;
Four frisbees;
One MVNU adhesive cell phone wallet;
One beach ball;
One mini-basketball;
One water bottle;
One pair of WNZR sunglasses;
One light-up bouncy ball;
One WNZR drawstring backpack;
One WNZR guitar flyswatter;
One NIV Student Bible;
One copy of the Woodlawn DVD and The Playbook: Inspired by the Movie Woodlawn devotional by Dr. Tony Evans and his son Jonathan Evans. The Playbook: Inspired by the Movie features 15 keys proven to unlock victories in daily life. Students will learn the importance of integrity, responsibility, self-control, resilience, and more;
One ticket to Sonfest 2018 at MVNU;
Plus lots of WNZR goodies!

We will draw for our student prize backpack on Saturday 6/30 at 4:45 p.m. and contact the winner by phone.

We will have special prizes ALL WEEK LONG – get them while supplies last – they GO FAST!!

Hand Fans from Cosby Heating and Cooling;
Kokosing Construction Chip Clips;
Frisbees from Southside Diner and Valley ATV;
Fredericktown Chevrolet cups;
Magic Grip Jar Openers from A+ Autobrokers;
Plus WNZR goodies: magnets, pens and program guides!
PLUS FREE tattoos and bubbles for the kids!

Thanks to our On The Road with Big Blue partners for the Heart of Ohio USA Days Festival in Centerburg: Southside Diner and MVNU Admissions.

Thanks for listening!
– Lilly and the Big Blue Crew

June 27, 2018 0

Game Time Tuesday 6/26!

A rainy Game Time Tuesday today here in the MtV, but we’re dry and we’re bringing you great music and awesome prizes here on the Afternoon Drive!

Today for Song Poetry, we went

“There is a wrestling in my heart and my mind
A disturbance and a tension I cannot seem to drive
And if I’m honest, there’s quite a bit of fear
To sit here in this silence and really hear You”

Todays song? God Help Me from Plumb!
Congrats to Travis from Mt. Vernon who guessed correctly!
He wins that $5 gift Cerificate to Troyers of Apple Valley!

Also congratulations to Sandi of Mt. Vernon who won Name that Tune!
The song today was one of my most favorites here at WNZR…
Joy from Tori Harper! (It was also one of my favorite parts too!)

We’ll be taking Big Blue On the Road this week!
Tomorrow actually!

We’ll be at the Heart of Ohio USA Days Festival in Centerburg!
And, of course, we’ll also be giving away some awesome prizes!

Adults 18+, here’s what you can win…

$80 dollars in gift certificates to Southside Diner;
$20 dollar gas gift card courtesy of Southside Diner;
Two On The Road with Big Blue T-Shirts;
One New International Version Bible;
One Lifeline car sunshade;
One Lifeline travel coffee mug;
One WNZR ceramic coffee mug;
One pair of Lifeline 2018 sunglasses;
Plus WNZR goodies including a Frisbee, guitar flyswatter, magnets, coasters, cups, hand fan and a jar opener!

Teens 11-17… here’s what’s in your prize basket…

One MVNU Cougar drawstring backpack that is stuffed full of goodies!
Three T-Shirts;
Four frisbees;
One MVNU adhesive cell phone wallet;
One beach ball;
One mini-basketball;
One water bottle;
One pair of WNZR sunglasses;
One light-up bouncy ball;
One WNZR drawstring backpack;
One WNZR guitar flyswatter;
One NIV Student Bible;
One copy of the Woodlawn DVD and The Playbook: Inspired by the Movie Woodlawn devotional by Dr. Tony Evans and his son Jonathan Evans. The Playbook: Inspired by the Movie features 15 keys proven to unlock victories in daily life. Students will learn the importance of integrity, responsibility, self-control, resilience, and more;
One ticket to Sonfest 2018 at MVNU;
Plus lots of WNZR goodies!

And kids 10 and under… an awesome summer fun basket…

Sidewalk chalk;
Bubbles;
Frisbees;
Water balloons;
One beach ball;
One water shooter;
One light-up bouncy ball;
Each basket winner will also receive a Children’s Bible, the VeggieTales DVD “Noah’s Ark – A Lesson in Trusting God”, the 2018 On The Road with Big Blue T-shirt and lots of WNZR goodies!
For all the rules and all the information about our trip to Centerburg, visit our website, WNZR.fm!

Thanks for listening!
-Todd and Lilly

June 26, 2018 0

Mystery Monday: Mmmmmm.

Today for Mystery Monday, we brought back the Mystery Box!
Joe Rinehart hid something in the box, and Todd, along with your help, had to determine what was in the box. I, (Lilly), however, did know what was in the box, so Todd was guessing Joe’s object through me!

The first test we did was the hearing test.
Todd shook the box around, getting a feel for the object.
Here’s what we learned…
1. It is not a box inside the box.
2. It’s an object that you eat!
From the smell test, here’s what we learned…
1. It is not any type of meat, but the dish itself can have meat in it.
2. This particular object is not homemade, but thet CAN be.
3. It’s not something you eat for breakfast. But for lunch or dinner.
The taste test gave it away…
1. It is a food that is related to a dish of a specific ethnicity.
2. That ethnicity would be Mexican

Yes, a taco shell was our object of choice today!
Congrats to Josh from Howard who guessed correctly and won!
He’ll be talking home that $5 gift certificate from Troyer’s of Apple Valley!

We’re also very excited to be a part of the Heart of Ohio USA Days Festival in Centerburg, and we’ll be there starting on Wednesday this week!
We’ll be at the festival from Wednesday through Saturday, 6/27 – 6/30! Join WNZR at Memorial Park in downtown Centerburg. Look for Big Blue in the park, near the main stage. Make sure to stop by and register for a prize. We have prize baskets for everyone in the family. You can register at the Heart of Ohio USA Days Festival or online, HERE!

Thanks for listening!
– Lilly and Todd

June 25, 2018 0

NZ Top 10 for 6/22/18

Here’s this week’s countdown:

10. All In – Matthew West
9. Control – Tenth Avenue North
8. Freedom Hymn – Austin French
7. God of All My Days – Casting Crowns
6. So Will I – Hillsong United
5. I Just Need U – TobyMac
4. Fear is a Liar – Zach Williams
3. Ressurection Power – Chris Tomlin
2. Grace Got You – MercyMe
1. Reckless Love – Cory Asbury

For New Music Friday, we’ve added these songs:

Micah Tyler – Even Then (click the image to watch the video)

Plumb – Beautifully Broken (click the image to see the official lyric video)

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Lilly

June 22, 2018 0

A Firm Foundation

Today we continue our series from the book by Dr. Tony Evans, “Can God be Trusted in our Trials?”

Today we’ll focus on laying a foundation that can withstand any trial.

Dr. Evans says being blown by the winds of a difficult trial is a poor time to discover that your spiritual Foundation is shaky or weak. So he’ll be giving us some tips that we’ll be sharing over the next few weeks about laying a solid foundation for our lives that would enable us to withstand any test or trial that the world, the flesh, or the devil can throw at you. The architect for the job is Jesus Christ himself.

Jesus finished The Sermon on the Mount with one of the best-known stories in all the Bible – he told of two men who built houses on different foundations and then describes what happens to each man’s house. We read this in Matthew 7 verses 24 through 27:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.²⁶But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

So as we look at this story, we see a tale of two men. They had a lot in common, but they also had one crucial difference.

The similarities are that each man has the same dream. Each man wanted to build a house for his family. But we could also say that both men had the same pastor. Jesus said that both men heard his words. They both listened to the same sermon and both men were exposing themselves to the truth of God.

But the similarities between these two men faded into the background when the storm hit, because the wind and the waves revealed one critical difference between them – a different Foundation to their homes.

The difference is so major that Jesus called the first man ‘wise’ and labeled the second man ‘foolish.’ So we need to consider those terms.

So how can we avoid a foolish foundation? Foolish originates from a Greek word that means “moron.” A fool in the Bible is not someone who lacks cognitive ability, but a person with a complete lack of biblical comprehension and discernment…so a lack of skill in living. What’s worse is that the fool doesn’t recognize his foolishness so he can correct it.

You can’t build your house on sand, because if you try to dig deep, the sand will cave in. The foolish man went with the cheap and easy way out. He didn’t want to pay the cost, or take the time, to lay a strong foundation to his house.

So what made the difference? Jesus said it was the difference between just hearing his words and putting them into practice. Both men had all the proper ingredients for a firm foundation. They heard Jesus’ words. They both sat under the Word, but the first man took the Word home with him and applied it; and the second man left what he heard on the Pew along with his bulletin when he left church. It’s the difference between acting from a divine standpoint and a human standpoint.

More about that next week! Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

June 21, 2018 0

Workplace Who Knew!

So, we’re doing a continuation from Monday’s show, because there was just so much good content.
We shared with you some of the top 40 most cringe-worthy phrases that are used in the workplace, and we kept sharing them today. Here’s the list…

1. Give 110 percent
2. Think outside the box
3. Hammer it out
4. Heavy lifting
5. Throw them under the bus
6. Don’t count their chickens before they’re hatched
7. Pushing the envelope
8. Let the cat out of the bag
9. Let’s circle back
10. Win-win situation
11. Blue-sky thinking
12. Boil the ocean
13. Synergy
14. Low-hanging fruit
15. Take it to the next level
16. Barking up the wrong tree
17. Going forward
18. Let’s ballpark this
19. Run this up the flagpole
20. Back to square one
21. There’s no I in team
22. Back to the drawing board
23. Paradigm shift
24. Elephant in the room
25. Raise the bar
26. Drill down
27. Best thing since sliced bread
28. Deep dive
29. Skin in the game
30. Reach out
31. Touch base
32. Play hardball
33. Don’t reinvent the wheel
34. Kept in the loop
35. The bottom line
36. Down the road
37. I’ll loop you in
38. Hit the nail on the head
39. ASAP
40. Team player

We also brought back a topic we didn’t get to hit on Monday…
7 simple ways to cultivate a happier work enviroment. Here they are…

1. Hire Happy Personalities
Hiring people who are going to help make your workplace happier will take a little
thought and preparation. It is natural to focus on relevant experience and past
achievements when interviewing a candidate. And you are right to want those things for your company. But ignoring the personality is a mistake.

The greatest candidate on paper might be the worst person to bring into your office. Look for the intangibles. Be very aware of how you feel around the person. Do they seem like they focus on the positives or negatives? Do they laugh? Do they smile? Do they seem like they create and nurture relationships? While their track record in terms of performance is very important, a person that brings gloom and doom to the workplace will kill productivity and motivation.

2. Be Community Minded at Work

Make a point of encouraging people to say hi to each other. Sounds simple but it is actually an incredible way to build a sense of workplace community and something that busy focused people forget. Start by making it a policy to have your executives and managers make sure to take the time to say hi. Choose ambassadors from all different levels and areas of your company to do the same. Acknowledging people can change the entire atmosphere and make your workplace be a much nicer place.

3. Get Out of the Work Routine Occasionally

We have a tendency not to focus on the big picture when we are really busy. This prevents us from creating perks or planning fun events that make the workplace happier. Treat people to something surprisingly good and fun. A day at the amusement park, a movie in the afternoon with popcorn and candy, chair massages. Anything you can think of to make people feel that you are doing something nice for them will make people feel happier.

4. Show That You Care About Your Employees

Ever hear of the Hawthorne effect? It’s the increase in productivity in the workplace when people feel that they are cared about. It makes people happy to be asked how they are and for you to take a little time to find out how things are going in their lives. That doesn’t mean spending hours at the water cooler having conversations about people’s lives. It means remembering to take the time to say, “How are you”.

5. Encourage Some Selfish Thinking

Part of the secret to being happy at work is to encourage people to have personal career goals. When people feel that they are working toward something, the day-to-day politics and stresses of the workplace don’t matter as much. Each challenging day can be better tolerated because it is a means to a personal end. People are able to separate themselves from their jobs and not become mired in the negativity when they are focused on reaching personal goals.

6. Focus on the Positive

Lots of places get caught up in the negative. They debrief by going over what didn’t work. Turn that around. Focus on the positive. That doesn’t mean that you should ignore the things that need to be improved on, it just means that when you are looking for the good, you will find the good. If you look for the bad, everything will seem bleak.

7. Give Back With Your Employees

Do something to give back to your community or to the world. Having a company wide initiative that makes a difference will make people feel connected to the greater good. Take a poll. Find out what people care about and get their opinions on how best to accomplish those goals.

Thanks for listening!
– Lilly and Todd

June 20, 2018 0

Driving Notes

The Official Blog of WNZR's Afternoon Drive

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