July is here, and that means that the summer days are quickly passing by on our calendars.
There are SO many opportunities for family fun here in Ohio.
We found a list of 100 things to do this summer from Ohio.org
Click HERE to see the great ideas!
You can have fun in the sun, enjoy culinary adventures and make family memories this summer!
Check out the list and let us know if you find a great new location or activity. Send us an email at wnzr@mvnu.edu
Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 6/30/23.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
Topics included:
To stay in touch with the City, go to:
In honor of Independence Day, Alyssa and Marcy share their favorite ways to celebrate the 4th of July.
We hope and pray that you get time to spend with family and friends for this very special holiday.
Click HERE to hear from our hosts.
The City of Mount Vernon will commemorate this nation’s independence from Great Britain on Tuesday, July 4, culminating with a fireworks celebration shortly after dusk at Ariel-Foundation Park. The city shared details in the map below and also frequently asked questions that we shared on The Morning Thing on Thursday. Find all the details listed below.
What time will the streets close?
Streets will be closing at 4:00 p.m. at the following locations:
Park entrances will be open to the public at Madison Street, Pittsburgh Avenue and Harcourt
Road. Columbus Road will be closed to southbound traffic at 9:30 p.m. and will not reopen until the
park clears. The Lakes area gate at Madison will be closed at 10:00 p.m. Simultaneously, the
North Loop Path will be opened westbound, exiting at Harcourt Road.
Where can I park?
There is very limited first come-first served parking inside Ariel-Foundation Park. Parking is free
and can be found at a multitude of public lots downtown off Gay Street and at the high school.
When lots are full they will be closed. Depending on weather conditions, there may be back-in
parking on the grass along the roadway coming off Harcourt Road.
Will there be additional ADA parking available?
Limited ADA parking will be available inside the park. The Urton Clockhouse parking lot off
Pittsburgh Avenue by the Columbus Road entrance will be filled first. ADA parking will be on a first
come-first served basis at this limited-space lot. Once this parking lot is full, drivers will be directed
to the Schnormeier Event Center (SEC) parking area, where 20 ADA spots will be set aside on a
first come-first served basis. When this lot is full motorists will be directed to the lake area for
further options.
Will the timed public parking spaces be enforced?
Vehicles parked in timed public parking spaces will not be ticketed on July 4.
Can I reserve a spot in the park?
The Park National Pavilion can be reserved for up to 50 guests for $100 on a first come-first
served basis no later than June 27. Call 740-501-9293 to reserve.
What time is the free concert?
The SEC will be closed for sound checks and other related activities during the day. Doors will
open at 5:00 p.m. to allow people to enter and find seating with their own chairs. The concert
series will begin at 5:30 p.m. with openers McLennon, a Beatles tribute band, followed by the
Sirens Duo, an R&B-blues-country act, at 6:15 p.m. Headliners Parrots of the Caribbean, a Jimmy
Buffett tribute band, will take the stage at 7:00 p.m. The fireworks show will begin about 10:00 p.m.
Where are the restrooms?
Portable restrooms will be available on the west side of the SEC as well as on the north side of the
SEC parking lot, just west of the Urton Clockhouse, and outside of the Kiwanis Pavilion on the
lakeside as well as the public restrooms in the pavilion.
Will there be food trucks available?
A vast array of food trucks will be available on the east side of the SEC in the parking lot as well as
in the lakes area near the Kiwanis Pavilion and in the west area of the Urton Clockhouse. Food
trucks will be open at 4:00 p.m.
Where are the trash receptacles?
Please do your part to keep the park clean by disposing of all trash and recyclables in the trash
cans along the sidewalks in and around the park. There will be workers emptying trash barrels
throughout the day. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Can I bring food/picnic in the park?
Yes.
Can I barbecue in the park?
Bring your own barbecue, but not under any roof in the park. This will be strictly enforced by the
Mount Vernon Fire Department.
Can I bring alcohol to the event?
Alcohol is not permitted anywhere in the park or streets around the park. There will be a bar set up
inside the SEC where you can purchase adult refreshments from 5:00-9:30 p.m.
Can I bring fireworks?
Fireworks are prohibited in all City parks per Mount Vernon Codified Ordinances Chapter 1519.
Can I set up a canopy/umbrella?
Yes, except on the grassy area outside the SEC, within 15 feet of the wire fence, and absolutely
not on the concrete area.
When can I sit on the pavement of any road in or around the park?
Even with street closures no sitting on the pavement of paved roads in or around Ariel-Foundation
Park will be allowed.
Can I bring my dog to the fireworks show?
Bringing dogs to the fireworks is not recommended, as the sound of the fireworks usually scares
the dogs. If you do bring your dog, make sure it is kept on a leash at all times.
What measures will be taken for spectator safety during the fireworks?
Keep your seats; efforts will be made to turn off street lights just before the start of the show. To
ensure the safety of all spectators, please be seated no later than 9:45 p.m. and remain seated
until the show is over and the street lights have been turned back on. We expect a very energetic
and exciting finale!
How do I exit the park in my car?
Immediately after the fireworks show traffic can go out Pittsburgh Avenue towards Columbus
Road. Cones will be set to direct motorists either right (south) or left (north) on Columbus. Going
west on Pittsburgh motorists will have to make either a left (south) or right (north) turn on Harcourt
Road. Motorists exiting on North Madison Avenue will be required to turn left only, going into town.
The Center Lake Loop road will be opened at 10:15 p.m. for westbound traffic only towards
Harcourt Road. Exiting on Harcourt, motorists can turn left (south) or right (north). The Lakes Area
gate at Madison will be closed at 10:00 p.m. Exit from the Lakes Area can only be made via the
North Loop Path westward to Harcourt Road. Traffic markers will be out. All drivers exiting should
stay to the right of these markers.
We hope you have a great 4th of July weekend and a Happy (and safe) Independence Day celebration with those you love!
-The Morning Thing
The 4th of July is a day filled with patriotic spirit, family gatherings, and dazzling fireworks. It’s a perfect opportunity to engage children in fun and educational activities that celebrate the essence of Independence Day. This blog post will inspire you with some fantastic 4th of July crafts for kids that will not only ignite their creativity but also deepen their understanding of this important holiday. Let’s dive in and discover delightful crafts that will make this 4th of July unforgettable!
This 4th of July, ignite your children’s imagination and celebrate the spirit of independence with these engaging crafts. From sparkling fireworks paintings to patriotic windsocks, American flag handprint art, and firecracker pop-up cards, there’s something for every child to enjoy. These crafts not only provide a creative outlet but also encourage conversations about the historical importance of Independence Day. Let the festivities begin as you create lasting memories and inspire a sense of pride in your children as they celebrate this remarkable holiday. Happy crafting and Happy Independence Day!
Today, The Morning Thing shared some great holiday ideas from thepioneerwoman.com
Click HERE to see the list of 50 Fun Things to Do on July 4th to Keep the Whole Family Entertained
Let us know what you plan to do for Independence Day. Email us at wnzr@mvnu.edu
In our fast-paced and interconnected world, finding a harmonious balance between work and personal life has become a pressing challenge for many individuals. The concept of work-life balance has gained considerable attention, highlighting the significance of maintaining a healthy equilibrium between professional commitments and personal well-being. In this blog post, we delve into the profound importance of work-life balance and explore the transformative benefits it can bring to our lives.
The Morning Thing shared a full list of ways to embrace a healthy work-life balance. This list is from Crosswalk.com and you can find all the tips HERE.
Finding equilibrium between work and personal life is an ongoing process, but one that is undoubtedly worth the effort. Striving for work-life balance empowers us to lead healthier, more satisfying lives by nurturing our physical and mental well-being, strengthening relationships, boosting productivity, preventing burnout, and fostering personal growth. As we recognize the transformative benefits it brings, let us actively prioritize work-life harmony, enabling us to flourish both professionally and personally.
Two wonderful ladies visited with Marcy Rinehart from The Morning Thing. They talked about their experience seeing the new movie, Sound Of Freedom.
This movie shines the spotlight on the ugly tragedy of human trafficking. Jim Caviezel stars in this true life story about Tim Ballard, Former US Agent and his Dangerous Mission to Rescue Children.
Lucia Snow and Ruthie Johnson share their thoughts and experience of seeing the movie. They also share the special challenge that producers gave the crowd to buy tickets for others.
Listen in as the ladies share what prompted them to buy tickets to give YOU an opportunity to go see the movie!
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
WNZR will be giving away tickets all this week on The Morning Thing and The Afternoon Drive.
For more information about the movie, to see local theaters showing the film and to see the movie trailer, go to https://www.wnzr.fm/sound-of-freedom-2023
Today, The Morning Thing shared an article from The Positivity Blog – The Power of Gratitude: 5 Small Tips for a Happier Life.
How have you been feeling lately?
Excited about each day? Or dreading the day before your feet even hit the floor?
Check out these 5 small, simple tips. Look through the lens of gratitude and the positive sides of life look a lot clearer!
Click HERE for the full article from Henrik Edberg.
1. Pause and look around yourself.
A first simple step to building the gratitude habit is simply to pause in your everyday life and to ask yourself questions like:
2. Look towards yourself.
Don’t just look outward.
Ask yourself:
What are 3 things I can be grateful for about myself?
3. Take a closer look at the very smaller things or what you may take for granted.
Don’t just focus on the big and obvious things you can be grateful for.
Think about what very small things you can be grateful for too.
4. Do it early or late in your day.
Two things that I have found effective are:
5. Express your gratitude.
Don’t just keep the gratitude on the inside. Express it.
What does the bible have to say about gratitude?
Ephesians 5:20 – Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Psalm 118:24 – “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 107:1 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Click HERE for a list of 23 bible verses on gratitude!
The WNZR Crew is On The Road with Big Blue this week at the Centerburg Heart of Ohio USA Days Festival.
So, today for our Friday Favorites, The Morning Thing hosts shared their favorite things to do at this festival. It is a lot of fun for families!
Click HERE to hear from Alyssa Sidle and Marcy Rinehart.
Click HERE to see the complete festival schedule.
Click HERE to register for our Family Summer Fun Prize Baskets. Thanks to Mid-Ohio Powersports for their partnership!
Rise and Shine 