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Austin Swallow FFTH Board President and Otto Graham!

Hi,

Today on the show we talked with Austin Swallow who is the Food For The Hungry Board President. We also had our weekly Who am I? trivia question where one lucky person has a chance to win a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant. Make sure to visit https://www.foodforthehungrycares.org/ to find out more information on the drive as well as how to make a donation to Food For The Hungry.

Here is our conversation with Austin:

  • I was born on December 6th, 1921, in Waukegan, Illinois.
  • I was one of four boys and I also set the first state record at birth weighing 14 lbs. 12 oz.
  • I attended the University of Northwestern on a college basketball scholarship in 1940.
  • I didn’t take up football until my sophomore year of college.
  • I played quarterback for 9 years with the Cleveland Browns from 1946 until 1955.
  • I was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965.
  • I died on December 17th, 2003, at the age of 82.

….I am Otto Graham

Congratulations to Joseph of Mount Vernon for guessing the correct answer! He wins a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant.

Thanks for listening!

-Dylan

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Christmas Music and Casting Crowns!

We are celebrating Christmas in full swing here at WNZR with the Holly Jolly 25, which means 25 days packed full of holiday tunes!

One of the new Christmas songs added to our playlist this year is We The Kingdom’s “Christmas in Hawaii,” which Abby shared the story behind for today’s artist news. Although the group had no plans to release this song initially, the tragic fires occurring in Maui this year changed that plan. Now, a portion of all proceeds for this song will go to a nonprofit organization dedicated to education for children living on the island of Maui. Read more here.

The music video for this track has just been released, featuring a stop-motion animation style and a fun Santa story set in Hawaii!

In other news, Mike talked about the recently announced extension to the Casting Crowns 20th Anniversary Tour: A Live Anniversary Experience. They will be adding a spring leg to this tour, a celebration of the band’s 20 years together with a live orchestra. To read more about the live show as well as Casting Crown’s new feature film, click here!

Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother

And in His name all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we

Let all within us praise His holy name

Congratulations to Chris for guessing it! Today’s song was O Holy Night, and Chris will be receiving TWO gift cards to Watt’s Restaurant after last week’s stumper.

Thanks for listening!

-Mike and Abby

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Blessed to be a Blessing III

This is our third week of sharing ideas of how you can bless others during this Christmas season. This was inspired by a list shared with our church family a few weeks back.

  1. Leave a basket of muffins/cookies on someone’s doorstep. This can be someone in your neighborhood or someone at work!
  2. Buy someone a coffee or their favorite drink and drop it off to them at work.
  3. Say thank you to your cashier – give them a smile, especially when they are doing an amazing job handling numerous requests. On Saturday, I did this with a cashier who was simultaneously running two lines!
  4. Stay calm, have patience, and be positive when a frustrating situation arises.
  5. Call your parents or a current/former mentor or teacher, and let them know how much you appreciate them.

Name a gift that kids DON’T want to open on Christmas morning.

  1. Underwear (31 votes)
  2. Socks (27)
  3. Hygiene Products (12)
  4. Books (8)
  5. Sweater/scarf (6)
  6. Puzzles (2)

Congratulations to Laura from Pataskala, who guessed those top two answers and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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Food for the Hungry with Shawn Dugan on Praise Thursday

For Praise Thursday, Mike and Abby shared encouragement and talked about the upcoming Fredericktown Christmas Walk! They also talked to Shawn Dugan, the Collections Coordinator who focuses on collecting donations from high schools in the county.

Mike shared Hebrews 12:3, which says, “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” He talked about how even when it can be hard to stay motivated in our daily lives, we can look to God as our source of motivation!

Abby shared a similar message from Isaiah 40:28-29– “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” It’s so comforting to know that we have a mighty God on our side, who will strengthen us when we feel weak or weary.

Today’s Name That Tune was a stumper! So… next week’s will be worth TWO gift cards to Watt’s Restaurant.

The annual high school collection for Food For The Hungry is underway. WNZR’s Alyssa Sidle talked with Collection Coordinator, Shawn Dugan. He shared the collection dates for all the Knox County high schools. He also shared some of the special challenges that are helping to motivate our local students to get involved. Shawn told us how the outstanding students and classes will be recognized on the annual broadcast on 12/8. He also shared the exciting news about a new partnership with the Mount Vernon Rotary Club. Check out our conversation with Shawn on Soundcloud below!

For more information on how to get involved go to – https://www.foodforthehungrycares.org/about-6-1

Thanks for listening!

-Mike and Abby

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A Conversation With Jim Riggle and Narnia!

Hi!

The Knox County Career Center Themed Basket Auction is BACK!

The Knox County Career Center opened its online auction of themed baskets and items today!

This auction supports the annual Food For The Hungry Drive.

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with Jim Riggle, Principal of Academics, Attendance and Student Discipline.

Jim shared the details of the 16 items up for bid!

They include 12 themed baskets, one Ton of Premium Wood Pellets, two packages with 20 pounds of pork, and a new 2021 Piranha ZR-90 motorcycle!

These items are donated by generous local businesses so that ALL proceeds from the auction can benefit families in Knox County.

Each basket also includes certificates for products and services from the labs at the Knox County Career Center.

Listen in and hear more about the passion of the students, teachers, and administrators at KCCC. Their commitment to raising food and funds is inspiring.

Bidding will close at 3 pm on Friday, 12/8.

Place your bid today at www.32auctions.com/kcccffth2023

Here is our conversation with Jim Riggle:

  • I was born on November 29th, 1898, in Belfast, Ireland
  • I was the youngest of two children.
  • I bounced around from school to school until I finally enrolled at Malvern College in 1913.
  • After studying under William T. Kirkpatrick my father’s former tutor, I earned a scholarship to attend Oxford University.
  • I was best friends with J.R.R Tolkien and he influenced the books that I wrote.
  • I am known for writing the Chronicles of Narnia series.
  • I died on November 22nd, 1963, at the age of 64.

…..I am C.S. Lewis

Congratulations to Skyler of Howard for guessing the correct answer! He wins a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant.

Thanks for listening!

-Dylan

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A Thanksgiving Performance and Charity of the Year

For Artist Newsday, Mike talked about what Caleb & John have been up to over the holidays. The duo just performed their debut hit “Hallelujah Feeling”– which has become the highest charting debut single by a new artist this year– in Houston’s H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade! Click here for more about them.

Abby shared that Natalie Grant’s outreach organization, Hope For Justice, was named Charity of the Year at the 5th Annual .ORG Awards. Hope for Justice aims to fight human trafficking and all those affected– and they will receive a donation of $60,000 from the Public Interest Registry along with the award. Natalie Grant has shared that her passion for this cause began after an eye-opening trip to India, which inspired her to become co-founder of Hope for Justice. If you want to read more about this outreach, click here.

But I picked myself back up and I started telling me

No, my God’s not done making me a masterpiece

He’s still working on me

We did not have a winner for today’s Song Poetry…so that means next week will be worth TWO gift cards to Watt’s Restaurant.

Thanks for listening!

-Mike and Abby

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Blessed to be a Blessing II

Today we shared more ideas of ways you can bless others during this Christmas season. How we embody the phrase, “Blessed to be a Blessing..”

  • purchase extra dog or cat food and donate it to an animal shelter
  • also consider donating old towels or blankets to those same shelters
  • send a ‘thank you’ card or note to officers at your local police or fire station
  • leave a box of goodies in your mailbox for your mail carrier
  • email or write to a former teacher who made a difference in your life
  • find a blood drive near you and donate (MVNU is hosting one

Name an occasion where parents force their kids to wear a certain outfit.

Wedding (26)
Easter (23)
Halloween (20)
Church (15)
Christmas (4)
School Picture Day (4)

Congratulations to Kelsey of Fredericktown, who guessed the top two answers and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Brenda of Fredericktown and Jackie from Mount Vernon both got registered, too, for the Casting Crowns Cinematic Celebration – the drawing is tomorrow morning!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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Winter In Downtown Mount Vernon and FDR

Hi!

Today on the show we talked to Lisa Lloyd who is one of the coordinators from Experience Mount Vernon. She talks about how this weekend is Winter in Downtown Mount Vernon.

Here is the conversation link:

Here is the entire schedule of what is going on this weekend:

  • I was born on January 30th, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York.
  • I attended Harvard University, Columbia Law School, and Passed the Bar Exam in 1907
  • I became a New York Senator in 1910
  • I suffered from Polio, and was wheelchair bound for many years of my life, although I didn’t like to show it.
  • I served as president for four terms, and during my time in office, I decided that Thanksgiving should place on the fourth Thursday every November.

……I am Franklin D. Roosevelt

Congratulations to Kathleen of Mount Vernon for guessing the correct answer! She wins a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant.

We also want to congratulate Kristi of Mount Vernon for being registered to win two tickets to the Casting Crowns Cinema event.

Thanks for listening!

-Dylan and Mike

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Afternoon Drive: Fun Size!

Today’s Afternoon Drive was cut short by tonight’s MVNU Womens’ basketball game, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t have fun! In fact, we had two contests!

Congratulations to Kristi for being the third caller for our Casting Crowns Cinema Giveaway! She is now registered for a chance to win two tickets to the movie! For details about the giveaway, click here! https://www.wnzr.fm/casting-crowns-giveaway-2023

“See my hands and look at my feet
It’s okay if it’s hard to believe
I have faith you will do greater things
It’s my time to go but before I leave”

Congratulations to Stacy from Mount Vernon for correctly guessing The Commission by Cain! She wins a $5 gift cards to Watts’ restaurant in Utica!

Tune in tomorrow for Who Knew Wednesday with Mike Basko and Dylan Elliott as they preview Winter in Mount Vernon taking place this weekend!

Thanks for listening!

-Mike

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