Today (Wednesday) is Be a Kid Again Day, a lighthearted reminder to slow down, have fun, and reconnect with the simple joys of childhood.
The annual observance encourages adults to embrace their inner child and enjoy the carefree moments that often get lost in the busyness of everyday life.
On The Morning Thing, the Big Blue Crew took a trip down memory lane by sharing some of their favorite summer memories.
Click HERE to hear comments from the Big Blue Crew!
From long days spent riding bikes around the neighborhood to catching lightning bugs, swimming until sunset, and enjoying family vacations, it was a reminder that some of life’s best moments are also the simplest.
Whether it’s flying a kite, eating a popsicle on the front porch, playing catch, or simply watching the clouds roll by, today is a great opportunity to set aside your to-do list—even for a few minutes—and enjoy life through the eyes of a kid again.
The WNZR Staff had some fun today playing a special July 4th Lightning Round Game! Take a listen and see if you agree with their choices. How will you be celebrating this special Independence Day? Happy 4th of July to you and your family!
Click HERE or on the link below to hear from our staff.
Lacey Filkins, Executive Director for Experience Mount Vernon, stopped by The Morning Thing to talk about tonight’s exciting event – July First Friday.
She shared a highlight of all the fun activities and how the downtown business district will celebrate this theme – Party Like it’s 1776!
Lacey shared details on parking, food, entertainment, the Experience Mount Vernon Passport and how your family can have fun tonight.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the link below.
WNZR will be there tonight! Look for Big Blue near the Dog Fountain on South Main Street. Click HERE for more details about tonight’s event and our prize basket for tonight.
What would you let go of if guilt wasn’t part of the equation?
That was the question we discussed on the Morning Thing on Tuesday, and it led to some honest reflection. Many of us hold onto things long after they have stopped serving a purpose in our lives. Sometimes we keep carrying them because we feel responsible. Sometimes it’s because we’re afraid of what others might think. And sometimes it’s simply because letting go feels harder than hanging on.
The reality is that we all carry burdens. Some are necessary. Others may be burdens that God never intended for us to carry in the first place.
We often take on other people’s expectations. We try to fix problems that aren’t ours to solve. We feel guilty for saying no. We carry regrets from the past or put pressure on ourselves to meet standards that may be impossible to achieve.
Jesus offers a different perspective in Matthew 11:28-30 when He says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Notice what He doesn’t say. He doesn’t tell us to carry more. He doesn’t tell us to work harder. He invites us to come to Him.
As we talked about Tuesday, there is a difference between responsibility and burden. Scripture encourages us to care for one another and help carry each other’s burdens. At the same time, we can easily cross the line into carrying things that belong to someone else, or worrying about situations that are beyond our control.
Another challenge is learning the difference between conviction and guilt. Conviction helps us grow and points us toward God. Guilt often keeps us stuck, replaying failures and convincing us that we can never move forward.
The good news is that God’s grace was never based on our performance. Ephesians 2 reminds us that we are saved by grace, not by what we accomplish. We don’t earn God’s love by staying busy, fixing every problem, or carrying every burden.
The story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 illustrates this perfectly. Martha was overwhelmed by everything that needed to be done, while Mary focused on what mattered most. Sometimes we can become so consumed by what we’re carrying that we miss the peace God is offering.
So here’s a question worth revisiting: If guilt wasn’t a factor, what would you finally let go of?
Whatever comes to mind, perhaps it’s worth asking whether God is asking you to keep carrying it—or whether He’s inviting you to place it in His hands.
Sometimes the most freeing thing we can do is let go of what was never ours to carry in the first place.
Click HERE for prayers to help you let go from Crosswalk.com
Loss comes in many forms, and Ruth-Ann Thompson wants people to know that hope can still be found even in life’s darkest moments.
WNZR’s Eric Brown recently spoke with Thompson, who will be a featured speaker at the Sunshine in the Shadows event on Sunday, June 28th from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Mount Vernon SDA Hill Church, located at 535 Wooster Road in Mount Vernon.
Thompson says her passion for grief ministry was born out of personal experience. She was widowed at age 24 after her husband was killed in a car accident. Thirteen years ago, she also experienced the loss of a son. Through those difficult experiences, she says God showed her that it is possible to find “sunshine in the shadows.”
She says many people struggle after a loss because they feel displaced and unsure of where they belong. Her goal is to help people rediscover hope and purpose while navigating grief.
The Sunshine in the Shadows event was inspired by Psalm 23:4 and the idea of walking through the valley of the shadow of death while still looking for God’s light. Thompson emphasizes that the event is not limited to those grieving the death of a loved one. She says grief can come from the loss of a job, income, friendships, a home, retirement, or any major life change.
The event is open to anyone experiencing loss, as well as those who want to better understand how to support someone who is grieving. Thompson hopes attendees leave with encouragement, hope, and the belief that there is something better ahead than what they may be experiencing today.
During the interview, Thompson also discussed the importance of faith during difficult times. She encourages people to continue moving forward while grieving, finding strength through prayer, God’s Word, and the support of others.
She also shared the story behind one of her books, which focuses on sibling loss. Thompson says siblings are often overlooked when a family experiences the death of a loved one, prompting her to create a resource that gives them space to process their grief. The book includes journaling sections and was influenced by her own family’s experiences following the loss of her son.
Thompson says one of the most important lessons she has learned is to pay attention to siblings, cousins, and others who may not be the primary focus of support after a loss but are hurting just the same.
She encourages anyone facing grief or walking alongside someone who is grieving to attend the event and be reminded that hope can still be found in the midst of life’s shadows.
For more information, call 740-358-9687 or click HERE!
After nearly five years of planning, renovation, and preparation, Founders Food Hall is ready to open its doors in downtown Mount Vernon.
WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart recently spoke with Sam Filkins, President of the Knox County Area Development Foundation and the Knox County Land Bank, about the project that has transformed the former Mount Vernon News building into a new community gathering place.
Filkins says the journey began in 2020 when the Knox County Land Bank purchased the vacant newspaper building. What started as an effort to revitalize an underutilized property quickly evolved into a much larger vision — creating a destination that would bring more people downtown while supporting surrounding businesses.
The project required extensive work, including clearing out the former newspaper operation, renovating the interior, restoring the building’s exterior, and creating the HW Hub partnership with MVNU. Along the way, Filkins says he and his team found themselves learning everything from demolition and construction to restaurant operations.
The building also preserves pieces of its history. Portions of the original flooring and chimney remain, blending the structure’s past with its modern renovation. Guests will also find duckpin bowling and an indoor-outdoor seating area created through large retractable windows.
Filkins says Founders Food Hall is also an example of the broader mission of the Knox County Land Bank. While many people associate land banks with vacant homes and abandoned properties, he says the organization is involved in a wide range of economic development projects across the county. Those efforts include Heartland Commerce Park, new housing construction along Columbus Road, and other initiatives designed to return underutilized properties to productive use.
The official grand opening celebration is scheduled for June 30th at 11 a.m. Vine Street will be closed for a community event that includes tours of the food hall, the HW Hub, and office spaces throughout the building.
Filkins says Founders Food Hall represents what can happen when a long-vacant building is given a new purpose. The hall will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with extended hours until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Future plans include mobile ordering, duckpin bowling reservations, live entertainment opportunities, and filling the remaining vendor spaces.
Click HERE to find out more about Founders Food Hall!
Today on The Morning Thing, we shared some advice for empty-nest parents. Did you know that your adult children really need your encouragement?
Here is a list of 10 ideas on how you can start encouraging your kids today! Click HERE for the full article from CrossWalk.com
Thanks to the author Karen Whiting for this article. Karen is an author of 25 books, an international speaker, and former television host. She’s a mother of five and a grandmother. Her book 52 Devotions for Busy Families makes it easy to practice faith at home. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
The Morning Thing shined the spotlight on June First Friday today. We are excited to partner with Experience Mount Vernon for this special event.
Lacey Filkins, Executive Director for Experience Mount Vernon shared all the details of tonight’s event with us. She gave us highlights on the schedule, parking, food, family activities, bike valet and the theme. Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click the link below.
Come enjoy a fun summer evening with WNZR. It’s time to “Shake, Rattle & Roll” in downtown tonight! For more details, go to https://www.experiencemv.org/ You can see a map of the event, list of exhibitors and parking information below.
Rise and Shine 