Jim Riggle, the Principal of Academics, Attendance, and Discipline at the Knox County Career Center, recently chatted with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart about this year’s big event.
Jim has been involved with the basket auction for seven years and shared why it’s such a highlight for the community. The auction officially kicked off at midnight on Cyber Monday, and bidding will wrap up on December 12th.
Here is a complete list of the baskets up for bid during the auction!
Jim Riggle shared some insights about the Food for the Hungry Basket Auction. He explained how easy it is to check your bids and get involved, and he made sure to give a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who helps make the auction possible.
He also talked about why these baskets are such a big deal. They give students in different Career Center labs a chance to showcase their skills, gain hands-on experience, and have some fun in the process. Jim highlighted how incredible the students are and shared a special moment from the first Chance Application Night, where former students returned to make the evening truly memorable.
Wrapping up, Jim expressed his gratitude for the community’s support. He said he feels especially blessed this year and is excited to celebrate 44 years of the Food for the Hungry program. He also reflected on what FFTH’s slogan means to him, emphasizing the sense of community and shared purpose behind the auction.
Click HERE to find out more about Food For The Hungry!
If you’ve spent any time around Fredericktown during the holidays, you’ve probably heard the name Ann Trudell—and for good reason. She’s responsible for the Fredericktown Annual Christmas Walk Online Auction, which is currently in full swing and runs through December 3rd and recently spoke with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart.
Ann is also the one coordinating donations, which can be dropped off at the Fredericktown administration building between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. through Tuesday. This year’s auction features an impressive lineup of themed baskets packed with gift certificates, local services, and all kinds of surprises. Ann happily shares what’s inside and how everyone can get involved.
She also breaks down how the bidding works, how to check if you’ve won, and when winners can pick up their items. One of the best parts? All the money raised stays right here in Fredericktown, supporting community members who need a little extra help. It’s a fun, festive way to give back.
This year’s Christmas Walk theme is “Country Christmas,” and Ann gives a sneak peek at the events planned along the route. She’s especially excited to meet the auction winners—and she may have mentioned she’s looking forward to the food auction, too.
Ann also reflects on what being involved in the Christmas Walk means to her personally. She shares where everything will be located, the best places to park, and how to stay connected with all things Fredericktown throughout the season. And when asked what’s on her own Christmas list? In true Ann fashion: world peace, plus plenty of time with family and friends.
Click HERE to view all the items listed for Fredericktown Christmas Walk Online Auction!
Today on the Morning Thing we got the chance to talk with many of our fellow staff members!
The Big Blue Crew shared what they are thankful for on this special holiday. We are thankful for YOU! Thanks for listening and supporting WNZR! Happy Thanksgiving!
From cheering on parade floats and football games to watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and cooking up family favorites, everyone has their own way of making Turkey Day feel special.
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, the WNZR staff thought it’d be fun to share some of their favorite traditions.
For our Friday Favorites, our hosts on The Morning Thing shared their favorite Thanksgiving food! It is that time and we can’t wait to see all the food on our tables!
We sat down with Austin Swallow, the Food For The Hungry Board President! They are getting started early this year by helping families with some pop-up food distributions in our community.
Austin tells us the motivation behind these events and he gives us the details on one happening very soon! He also talks about the upcoming Food For The Hungry Drive happening in December.
Today on The Morning Thing, Marcy and Xander explored some great ways to take Thanksgiving to the next level! These are tips that will make you and your family love the holiday even more.
Some of our favorites:
Start a New Tradition
Combine Travel with a Tourist Activity
Choose a Friends-giving or a self-giving act
To view the full list click HERE! You won’t regret it!
Today, The Morning Thing shared some great advice on how to prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday. Here are some great tips that we found online to help you plan ahead and be ready to enjoy this special holiday.
🛒 1. Plan and Shop
Finalize your menu. Decide exactly what dishes you’ll serve (and what guests might bring).
Make a detailed grocery list. Include all ingredients, drinks, and supplies like foil, plastic wrap, and napkins.
Do your big grocery run. Get non-perishables, frozen items, and anything that can store well for a week. (Avoid the last-minute rush!)
Order your turkey. If you haven’t yet, make sure it’s purchased or reserved.
🦃 2. Prep the Turkey
If you bought a frozen turkey, move it to the fridge to thaw — it can take up to 4–5 days depending on the size.
Check you have a roasting pan, thermometer, and carving knife.
🍽️ 3. Get Your Kitchen Ready
Clean out the fridge to make space for ingredients and leftovers.
Sharpen knives and clean cookware, baking sheets, and serving dishes.
Label serving platters or sticky-note them (“mashed potatoes here,” “stuffing here”) to stay organized.
🏡 4. Prepare Your Home
Clean main areas (kitchen, dining room, bathrooms, entryway).
Plan table seating and décor. Make sure you have enough chairs, plates, glasses, and utensils.
Set aside time to decorate — candles, fall centerpieces, or a festive tablecloth go a long way.
🕒 5. Plan the Timeline
Create a cooking schedule for the week and Thanksgiving Day. (e.g., pies the day before, casseroles in the morning, turkey in at noon.)
Make a to-do list for each day leading up to the holiday.
👪 6. Coordinate with Guests
Confirm who’s coming and what time they’ll arrive.
Double-check who’s bringing what dishes or drinks.
Plan for any dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.).
🍰 7. Start Early Prep
Make and freeze pie dough, casseroles, or rolls if possible.
Chop veggies ahead of time and store them in labeled containers.
Prepare any make-ahead dishes like cranberry sauce or gravy base.