Search

Driving Notes

The Official Blog of WNZR's Afternoon Drive

Tag

Who Knew Wednesday

Who knew it was the Knox County Fair!

We’re at the Knox County Fair today, we talked alot about different things we’re giving away and had conversations with all the people who present at the fair and make the fair happen in the first place. You can find all the information about our giveaways for this year’s fair right HERE

WHO AM I?

  1. I was born on July 29, 1938, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  2. In 1959, I got my first gig at a local radio station, where I was hired as a member of the news department; were many of my stories were picked up by the CBC
  3. In 1965, ABC hired me for their 15-minute nightly newscast, where I struggled a bit before moving on overseas
  4. After a brief stint abroad, I returned to the U.S. to become a Washington correspondent and news anchor for ABC’s new morning program AM America
  5. Throughout my career, I reported on some of the biggest events of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Gulf War, and the September 11 attacks.

I am Peter Jennings! Congratulations to Nathaniel from Sunbury, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Daniel & Joe

Relax Your Brain while Eating a Mango in a Hammock

Today for WHO KNEW WEDNESDAY, we talked about National Mango Day, National Hammock Day, and World Brain Day. Here is what we talked about…

WHO KNEW FACT CHECK – The hammock can help improve sleep because its rocking motion feels like being rocked by your mother.

NATIONAL MANGO DAY – Mango trees can grow up to 100 feet with a canopy of over 35 feet. Less than 1% of the flowers will mature into mango fruits, but don’t worry, mango trees produce mangos all year long.

NATIONAL HAMMOCK DAY – The Mayans developed the only known written language in Mesoamerica and invented the hammock! Hammocks were originally woven from the Hammack tree, native to Latin America, hence the name, “hammock”.

WORLD BRAIN DAY – Your brain isn’t fully formed until age 25. Brain development begins from the back of the brain and works its way to the front. As a result, your frontal lobes, which control planning and reasoning, are the last to strengthen and structure connections.

WHO AM I?

  1. I was born on July 22, 1940, in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
  2. Early in my career, I would read the CBC national radio news and cover a wide range of special events for CBC Radio and CBC Television
  3. I was a host for many different game shows throughout my career, including “Wizard of Odds,” “High Rollers,” and “Jeopardy.”
  4. I had made several guest appearances on different talk shows and the show The X Files
  5. I became an advocate for pancreatic cancer before my death in 2020.

I am Alex Trebek! Congratulations to Grace from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Daniel & Joe

Summer favorites are celebrated today!

It’s a day to celebrate Hot Dogs and Gummy Worms!

A few fun facts from DaysoftheYear.com:

Each year, Americans eat about 20 billion hot dogs—that’s roughly 70 hot dogs per person! 

Baseball fans consume around 20 million hot dogs every season, making them the ultimate stadium snack. 

The term “hot dog” dates back to the early 1900s and may have been inspired by jokes about dachshund-shaped sausages. 

A true Chicago-style hot dog is famously served with NO ketchup—only mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, pickles, peppers, and celery salt. 

Los Angeles eats more hot dogs than any other U.S. city—from 27-30 million pounds per year! (source: National Hot Dog and Sausage Council) Per capita, though, it’s Greensboro, North Carolina!

Gummi worms were inspired by gummi bears and first created in the early 1980s by the German candy company Haribo. 

The “worm” idea was meant to be funny—not gross. 
In Europe, making candy shaped like creepy-crawlies was meant to be playful and a little silly… and it totally worked! 
 
Most gummi worms combine two different flavors and colors in a single piece—so every bite is a mix. 

The tangy, sugar-coated version didn’t show up until later, adding that sweet-and-sour combo people love today. 

Traditional gummi worms get their chewy texture from gelatin, along with sugar, flavoring, and coloring—giving them that signature bounce.

I was born on July 15, 1936, in Cleveland, Ohio.  

I served as mayor of Cleveland for nearly a decade, helping lead the city out of financial crisis.  

I was elected the 65th governor of Ohio and served from 1991 to 1998 during a time of strong economic growth.  

During my time as governor, Ohio created more than 500,000 jobs and unemployment dropped to a 25-year low.  

I later represented Ohio in the U.S. Senate, continuing my commitment to public service at the national level. 

Congratulations to April from Mt. Gilead, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

Remember when you were a kid? Did you like Blueberry Popsicles?

Today for WHO KNEW WEDNESDAY, we talked about Be a Kid Again Day and ways you can try to be a kid again. We also talked about Freezer Pop Day and National Blueberry Day.

WHO KNEW FACT CHECK: Popsicles were originally marketed as a health food

Be a Kid Again Day: When was the last time you felt like a kid? Try doing something you might not have done since you were a kid, like running through a sprinkler or swinging on swings.

Freezer Pop Day: The world’s largest popsicle was created in 2015. To celebrate National Ice Cream Day, The Nékter Juice Bar chain in California created a giant popsicle that measured over 18 feet long and weighed over a ton. 

National Blueberry Day: During the American Civil War of the 1860s, blueberries were collected and sent to troops in care packages for use as a food staple. 

  1. I was born on July 8, 1958, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
  2. I made my acting debut in National Lampoon’s Animal House, but my breakout role was in the movie Footloose
  3. In 2003, I received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
  4. I received a Golden Globe award for my role in HBO’s Taking Chance
  5. I am the subject of a trivia game called “Six Degrees of (my name)” due to my wide range and ability to link me to another actor

I am Kevin Bacon! Congratulations to Haley from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Daniel

The Perfect Combo… Ice Cream, Wings, and America!

For this Who Knew Wednesday, we talked about National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day, National Chicken Wing Day, and some American Independence Fun Facts! Here is what we talked about…

WHO KNEW FACT CHECK – The history of ice cream begins in ancient Persia around 550 BC; Persian engineering techniques for storing and using ice laid the foundation for cold desserts.

National Chicken Wing Day – Americans consume ~1.25 billion chicken wings on Super Bowl Sunday alone!

National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day – The average American eats roughly 20 pounds of ice cream each year, or about 4 gallons. 

https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/art/travelling-exhibits/the-american-navy-in-the-revolutionary-war/john-paul-jones.html

American History Fun Fact – John Paul Jones: the “Father of the American Navy” sunk over a dozen ships during the Revolutionary War.

WHO AM I?

  1. I was born into British nobility on July 1, 1961, in London. 
  2. I married Charles III in 1981 in a globally watched royal wedding.  
  3. I was known as the “People’s Princess” for my compassion and connection with the public.  
  4. I used my platform to raise awareness about issues like children’s health and landmine victims.  
  5. My life was tragically cut short in a car accident in Paris in 1997, deeply impacting people around the world. 

I am Princess Diana Spencer! Congratulations to Kevin from Bladensburg, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Daniel and Joe

Nuts, laps and cats!

It’s another mix of fun facts for today’s Who Knew:

SWIM A LAP DAY? You bet! Swimming is frequently recommended as a low-impact form of aerobic activity because the water’s buoyancy reduces stress on joints. That can make it appealing for people managing arthritis, recovering from injuries, or dealing with chronic pain. The resistance of the water still provides muscular work, but without the pounding that comes with many land-based workouts. 

PRALINES DAY – is it a PRAY-leen or a PRAH-leen? Depends on who you ask, I guess. In New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast, where there are many communities settled by the French, the pronunciation is prah-leen, with the long aaah sound, which is closer to that of the candy’s namesake du Plessis-Praslin. Other regions of the country, including parts of Texas, Georgia, and New England pronounce it pray-leen.

What is it? Pralines are popular confections made primarily from nuts and sugar. The traditional American version features pecans, butter, and cream, offering a soft, fudgy texture.   

  1. I was born in Redruth, Cornwall, England on June 24, 1947  
  1. I took up drums after my parents, bought me a drum when I was thirteen  
  1. My first real gig was in August 1967 at the seventh annual Windsor Jazz and Blues Festival.  
  1. My band’s biggest hits were “Dreams” in 1977 and “Don’t Stop,” which were top 3 hits from the album Rumours
  1. My band is named partly after me and I am the only member of the band to have remained throughout its entire history

I am Mick Fleetwood! From the band Fleetwood Mac. Congratulations to Bob from Howard, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

FINALLY, check out this cute link about June 24th as ‘World Cat Domination Day.’ Yep, it’s a thing!

https://petsitters.org/page/CatWorldDominationDay

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

Don’t run from Crocodiles while Wearing a Mascot Costume and Eating Apple Strudel

On this week’s Who Knew Wednesday, we discussed Apple Strudel, Mascots, and Crocodiles; plus, who am I trivia. Here’s what we talked about.

WHO KNEW FACT CHECK – Crocodiles can go through over 3,000 teeth in their lifetime! As soon as one falls out a new one starts growing in its place. 

NATIONAL APPLE STRUDEL DAY – The longest Apple Strudel ever made measured over 2,004 feet and was baked in Vienna in 2015.

NATIONAL MASCOT DAY – The word Mascot comes from the French word “Mascotte” which means lucky charm.

WORLD CROC DAY – Some crocodiles can reach lengths of up to 20 feet and weigh over 2,000 pounds. They also have a long lifespan, with some individuals living for more than 70 years.

WHO AM I?

  1. I was born June 17, 1943, in New York City and grew up in Brooklyn 
  2. In the 1960s, I started my career as a commercial jingle writer and singer. 
  3. In 1969, I helped co-write and produce music under the band name “Featherbed” 
  4. By 1975, I had my first #1 hit with the single, “Mandy” 
  5. In December of 2010, I performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway

I am Barry Manilow! Congratulations to Rhonda from Fredericktown for guessing correctly and taking home a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Join Brock tomorrow for Praise Thursday!
Thanks so much for listening!
– Daniel

Talk slowly when eating your iced egg roll

On this week’s Who Knew Wednesday, we discussed Talking Slowly, Iced Tea, and Egg Rolls; plus, who am I trivia. Here’s what we talked about.

WHO KNEW FACT CHECK Tea leaves can help keep mosquitoes at bay

NATIONAL TALK SLOW DAY – Slowing down benefits the listener and communicator, as it allows you to breathe, be calm, and relax.

Fried spring rolls with vegetables and shrimps, served with spicy sauce and chopsticks over white wooden background. Overhead view

NATIONAL ICED TEA DAY – The first place to sell and grow iced tea in America was South Carolina in 1775.

NATIONAL EGG ROLL DAY – Origins of the egg roll aren’t completely clear. Some stories say it was New York chef Lung Fong who invented the delicacy back in 1925. Others credit chef Henry Low of the restaurant Port Arthur in New York City. 

WHO AM I?

  1. I was born Frances Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and began performing as a child alongside my sisters.  
  2. I became a global star playing Dorothy in the classic film ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ 
  3. I sang the iconic song ‘Over the Rainbow,’ which won an Academy Award.  
  4. Despite personal struggles, I made a celebrated comeback with concerts in the 1960s, including performances at Carnegie Hall. 
  5. My daughter, Liza Minelli, was also an accomplished performer and actress. 

I am Judy Garland! Congratulations to Jim from Mount Vernon for guessing correctly and taking home a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Join Joe and Brock tomorrow for Praise Thursday!
Thanks so much for listening!
– Joe and Daniel

The Horse, the Bolt, and the Ostrich

On this week’s Who Knew Wednesday, we discussed Bikes, Running, and Eggs; plus, who am I trivia. Here’s what we talked about.

WHO KNEW FACT CHECK – The first marathon is from the legend of Pheidippides, an ancient Greek messenger who supposedly ran roughly 25 miles from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens in 490 BC.

WORLD BIKE DAY – An early version of the bike was known as the Dandy Horse, which was invented in 1817.

Image courtesy of dandyism.net

GLOBAL RUNNING DAY – Fastest man alive is Usain Bolt, with his record-holding speed of 9.58 in the 100-meter dash.

NATIONAL EGG DAY – The biggest egg is the Ostrich Egg weighting 3 to 4.4 lbs.

WHO AM I?

  1. I was born on June 1, 1937, in Memphis, Tennessee.  
  2. Early in my career, I was a cast member on the PBS show The Electric Company. 
  3. I gained widespread fame for the 1989 film ‘Driving Miss Daisy.’ 
  4. I won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for my role in ‘Million Dollar Baby.’ 
  5. I played memorable roles in films like ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ and ‘Bruce Almighty.’ 

I am Morgan Freeman! Congratulations to Whit from Fredericktown for guessing correctly and taking home a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Join Joe and Brock tomorrow for Praise Thursday!
Thanks so much for listening!
– Joe and Daniel 🙂

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑