Who Knew Wednesday

Popcorn, Tin Cans and a Raven?

We promise it will make sense…

Today is a day to celebrate popcorn!

Did you know that the corn we eat and the corn we pop are two different varieties of maize? In fact, the corn you’d find on your dinner table is most likely unable to pop at all! Only one variety of corn is able to become popcorn: Zea mays everta (Z-MAY’S-EVER-DUH). This particular corn variety has small ears, and the kernels burst when exposed to dry heat.

In 1948, small heads of Zea mays everta (Z-MAY’S-EVER-DUH) were discovered by Herbert Dick and Earle Smith in the Bat Cave of west central New Mexico. Ranging from smaller than a penny to about two inches, the oldest Bat Cave ears were about 4,000 years old. Several individually popped kernels were also discovered, which have since been carbon dated and shown to be approximately 5,600 years old. There’s also evidence of early use of popcorn in Peru, Mexico, and Guatemala, as well as other places in Central and South America.

Aztecs used popcorn to decorate their clothes, create ceremonial embellishments, and also for nourishment. Native Americans have also been found to consume and utilize popcorn in their day to day lives. In a cave in Utah, thought to be inhabited by Pueblo Native Americans, popcorn has been found that dates back to over 1,000 years ago. French explorers who traveled to the new world discovered popcorn being made by the Iroquois Natives in the Great Lakes region. As colonists moved around North America, and as the USA came to be, many people adopted popcorn as a popular and healthy snack.

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…and tin cans? January 19th is National Tin Can Day! Some call this invention key to feeding soldiers and helping solve hunger issues…(from DaysoftheYear.com)

Cans were invented as a solution for hunger in combat. The French Directory, serving the years when Napoleon’s army fought battles in Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, and the Caribbean, offered a 12,000 franc prize (probably around $150,000 in today’s terms) for a breakthrough in the preservation of food.

Nicholas Appert, a Paris resident and chef, saw this opportunity and took it. Working for French nobility, he studied different methods of food preservation until he presented his creation to the Directory. He is known as the ‘father of canning.’

His factory progressed from bottles to glass containers and then eventually to tinplate cans. These preserves of different foods were shipped all over through the French navy. Then, two British men set up the first commercial canning factory in Britain in 1812.

Tin can preservation became a crucial element for the history of combat and war as well as helping solve hunger issues.

–          Born January 19, 1809 in Boston
–          My parents were both actors, but my mother died when I was two
–          I was fostered by the Allan family of Richmond, Virginia
–          I studied ancient and modern languages at the University of Virginia
–          I joined the US Army in 1827 but also released my first book of poems that year
–          I am best known for ‘The Raven’ and ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ and for starting modern detective stories
–          I died at 40 years of age in Baltimore

I am…Edgar Allan Poe.
Congratulations to Faith from Howard, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Dylan

January 19, 2022 0

from pharmacists to redheads and donuts…

Today’s a wide range of WHO KNEWS…January 12th give us a chance to recognize:

KISS A GINGER DAY

Fiery red hair, pale skin, and eyes of blue or green. Kiss a Ginger Day gives us all the opportunity to show our love for redheads!

Did you know that only around two percent of the population have naturally red hair? A lot of people associated red hair with Ireland. However, there are archaeological discoveries and ancient accounts that have indicated that red hair existed in Asia and Greece.

Did you also know that redheads don’t go gray? This is because red hair holds its pigment for longer than other color shades. Therefore, when it does fade, it does not go dull or gray. Instead, it will become an incredible silvery-white color.

NATIONAL PHARMACIST DAY

National Pharmacist Day asks us to take a moment to think about and thank of all those important people who work as pharmacists. These are people whose job it is to mostly see people when they are sick with a cold or cough, need a refill on that asthma inhaler, or perhaps when someone has run out of toothpaste.

In any case, these helpful folks are able to assist people all over the world to feel better, even though they mostly only see them at their worst.

Today, pharmacists aren’t responsible for actually making the pills and potions, but for storing them, fulfilling them with correct dosage, offering advice to patients, watching for mistakes or drug interactions and other duties that are vital to the health of billions of people all over the world.

–          I was born January 12, 1930 in Ontario, Canada
–          My dad was a National Railway mechanic
–          When I was 18, I was signed to play junior hockey in Toronto
–          I turned pro in 1950 and played my first NHL game that March for the Maple Leafs
–          In 1964 I opened my first donut shop in Hamilton, Ontario
–          I was a seven-time all-star and won four Stanley Cups
–          I died in a car accident in 1974 and my business partner grew the donut shop to over 4,800 locations in 14 countries

I am…TIM HORTON. Congratulations to John from Utica, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Dylan

January 12, 2022 0

A Generation Chasing Christ

I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Atlanta, Georgia to meet, celebrate, and worship with thousands of people at Passion 2022. Today on the show, I reflected on how God was able to move through 18-25-year-olds in this event to bring in the New Year!

Many big names in Christian music and ministry came together for the two day event including

Passion Music
Maverick City Music
Crowder
Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes
KB
Christine Caine
Jennie Allen
Louie Giglio
Tim Tebow
Sadie Huff
Levi Lusko
And More!

To watch any of the event on demand, visit https://www.passion2022.com/rewatch/session-one-english

Thanks for listening!

Jonathon

January 5, 2022 0

Do You Still Have Things To Do?

Today on the show we talked about how today is National Still Need To Do Day.

Here is the article about the National Holiday:

Still Need to Do Day comes at a lull time in the holiday season, before New Year’s festivities. Children are still out of school, and maybe you have some time off of work. With only a few days left in the year, you may start reflecting on what you have accomplished during the last trip around the sun, and what things were left undone. Today is for tying up some of the loose ends of the year, and getting things done before the calendar changes. Completing tasks give people a sense of accomplishment, and doing some now will lay a foundation to start the new year off strong. Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays started the day, and while they put it on December 29 to illustrate the opportunity to finish things before the end of the year, they also said you have “the rest of your life” to do them, meaning that it’s okay if it takes longer than just today to finish them. They point out that procrastination does not move one forward, and that “it’s time to start pursuing the dream,” implying that not only small tasks need to be focused on, but large life goals as well.

How to Observe Still Need to Do Day

Celebrate the day by making a list of things that you wish to accomplish yet this year, and a second list outlining things that you hope to start focusing on during the upcoming year ahead—this second list may be part of your New Year’s resolutions. Then spend the day working to check off things on your first list and see if you can complete them. Maybe there is something broke in your house that you’ve been meaning to fix all year. Today is the day to do it! Is there something you have been meaning to buy all year to simplify your life, but you’ve been putting it off? Go out and get it today and start the new year fresh! Do you have children and they are off of school? If so, have them make lists too, and see what they can accomplish today as well.

·      I was born on December 29^th, 1808 in Raleigh, North Carolina
·      I was born into poverty and never went to school
·      I was elected into the House of Representatives in 1843, where I served five two-year terms.
·      I was also the Governor of Tennessee for four years, and was elected by the legislature to the Senate in 1857
·      I became the 17^th President of the United States following the assassination of then President Abraham Lincoln
I died on July 31^st, 1875 due to a stroke

Answer: Andrew Johnson

Congratulations to Karolyn of Mount Vernon for guessing the correct answer! She wins a $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup!

Thanks for listening!

– Dylan

December 29, 2021 0

Celebrating those who make things happen!

So today’s show is a celebration of two big things:

the 2021 Knox County Food For The Hungry drive
people who GET THINGS DONE (Cat Herders)

Make sure you check out our recap of FFTH 2021 by clicking this link. Our total is just over $249,000 and still growing!

Now onto the herders…have you heard (no pun intended) this before? From DaysoftheYear.com:

“You don’t have to be a cat lover to celebrate Cat Herders’ day, you only have to be someone attempting to complete a seemingly impossible task or working in a job that is a continual up-hill battle, tall-order, hard-work, or in short, some activity that is like ‘herding cats.’ Have you ever seen a cowboy or cowgirl herding cats? Didn’t think so – that’s because if we ever attempted to it would take us longer than an infinite monkey to type the complete works of Shakespeare.

You’ve probably heard the saying that something is as impossible as “herding cats”, used in reference to a seemingly futile or difficult task. Granted, if you have actually attempted to literally herd a bunch of cats for some reason or the other, you would know exactly how impossible this task actually is.

What we can say is that the phrase is pretty suitable for what it describes. And while cats are independent, solitary, and easily distracted, many humans also share the same characteristics.”

– I was born December 15, 1832 in Dijon, France
– I was a French Engineer, and started with building bridges
– I helped design the Statue of Liberty
– My most known work is the signature landmark in Paris
– After retiring from my company, I went on to do important work in meteorology and aerodynamics
– I died on December 27^th, 1923 while listening to Beethoven’s 5^thsymphony, in my mansion in Paris

I am…Gustave Eiffel. Congratulations to Charla from Utica, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup.

Jenn from Danville and Pat from Mount Vernon – congratulations!

– Joe and Dylan

December 15, 2021 0

Musicians make it happen!

We are excited to feature Foodstock 2021 for our weekly Food For The Hungry feature.

Elixir Presents will hold their 10th Annual Foodstock, a live concert, featuring the music of Peter, Paul & Mary, Joan Baez and other folk artists on Monday, December 6 at 7:00 pm.

The concert will be held at the Memorial Theater at the Knox Memorial (112 E. High St., Mount Vernon, Ohio). Admission is food items and/or monetary donation. Information about Foodstock can also be found at www.elixirpresents.com

Listen to the full conversation with Marcy Rinehart with Mike and Chris Petee here! https://soundcloud.com/wnzr/sets/the-10th-annual-foodstock-returns-for-2021-enjoy-folkfest-on-126

–          I was born December 1, 1913 in Weatherford, TX
–          My father was a lawyer and my mother a violin teacher
–          I married at 17 and had a son, Larry, who later became a TV star
–          My big break came on radio, where I was singing for a show and was discovered by Oscar Hammerstein
–          I made my Broadway debut in 1938
–          I starred in South Pacific, The Sound of Music and my most famous role, Peter Pan
–          I was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1973

I am…Mary Martin. Congratulations to Marty from Howard, who wins the $5 gift card from Everlasting Cup.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Dylan

December 1, 2021 0

High schoolers make it happen!

High School students around Knox County are collecting food and monetary donations to support the 40^th Annual Food For The Hungry Drive.

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with Collection Coordinator, Shawn Dugan about this year’s unique fundraising. Each school is finding unique and creative ways to motivate students to get involved with the collection. Click HERE to hear their conversation.
https://soundcloud.com/wnzr/sets/knox-county-high-schools-collect-donations-for-food-for-the-hungry

Top collecting schools in two categories will once again be awarded the traveling plaque as provided by COTC to recognize each school’s accomplishment.

The Central Knox County Award will go to either Mount Vernon or the Knox County Career Center. And The Greater Knox County Award will go to one of the following schools: Centerburg, Danville, East Knox, or Fredericktown. Each year, the winning school’s name is added to the traveling plaque.

Representatives from each school will be invited to participate in the Food For The Hungry broadcast from the Memorial Theater at the Knox Memorial on Friday, Dec. 10.

For more information about the High School Food Drive Competition, schools and students can contact Shawn Dugan through email by using shawndugan@windstream.net, to help coordinate their collections or answer questions.

Here are the 2021 collection dates for Knox County High Schools:

* Fredericktown High School: 11/15 – 11/19 – just wrapped up

* Centerburg High School: 11/16 – 12/1

* The Knox County Career Center: 11/29 – 12/9

* Mount Vernon High School: 11/30 – 12/7

* Danville High School: 11/30 – 12/7

–          I was born November 24, 1938 in Charlotte, Tennessee
–          I was Indiana’s Mr. Basketball in 1956
–          I was a three-time player of the year and all-American at he University of Cincinnati
–          I co-captained the US gold medal basketball Team in the 1960 Olympics
–          I became the first player to average a triple-double in 1962
–          I won an NBA title with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971
–          I retired as the NBA’s all-time assist leader; and am now 7^th all-time
–          I’m in the college and pro basketball halls of fame

I am…OSCAR ROBERTSON! Congratulations to Dave from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Dylan

November 24, 2021 0

Psi Iota Xi helps make it happen!

Today we launch a series of “Who Knews” about the 2021 Knox County Food For The Hungry drive!

The 2021 Psi Iota Xi Knox County Elementary School Drive is underway. All donations benefit the 40th annual FFTH drive.

Mount Vernon area classrooms along with Centerburg, Danville, East Knox, and Fredericktown elementary schools will join the sorority’s collection efforts. Psi Iota Xi also supplies schools with collection boxes. Students and families can make donations through this Friday, November 19.

Click here to listen to Wesley Boston’s conversation with Psi Iota Xi’s Sandra Fithian.

–          I was born on November 17, 1930 in California
–          My high school track coach encouraged me to take up the decathlon
–          I made the Olympics the summer after I graduated from high school
–          I was the youngest gold medalist in track and field at 17
–          I attended Stanford, played in a Rose Bowl and spent two years in the Marines
–          I repeated as gold medalist in 1952
–          I served four terms in the US House of Representatives

I am…Bob Mathias. Congratulations to Joshua from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup.

Congratulations to Debbie and Janell from Mount Vernon for getting registered!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Dylan

November 17, 2021 0

Reflections from Coach Flemming

As we approach MVNU Homecoming this weekend, we shared a Cougar Conversation with former men’s basketball coach and Athletic Director Scott Flemming (Class of 1980).

You can listen to the full chat with our own Marcy Rinehart by clicking here!