The Morning Thing talked with Lacey Filkins, Executive Director for Experience Mount Vernon about July’s First Friday. It IS happening on a Thursday (7/3/25).
Click HERE to hear the full conversation, or click the link below.
Lacey shares the details about this exciting event for families. She gives us highlights of the schedule, entertainment, food choices, parking and the theme – Red, White, & Blue Party! The event happens tonight from 6pm – 9pm in downtown Mount Vernon. We hope to see you there to celebrate our Independence Holiday.
What are you making for the 4th of July?
Tomorrow is Independence Day! Are you looking for something to take to your picnic? Or family reunion?
The Morning Thing crew found 6 easy and festive recipes that are perfect for your 4th of July. These are simple to prepare, crowd-pleasing, and full of summer flavor! Check them out!
If you try one of these recipes, let us know what your family thinks and share their reviews. Email us at wnzr@mvnu.edu Also, send us a picture! ๐
Have a wonderful 4th of July!
1. Red, White & Blue Fruit Skewers
Ingredients:
- Strawberries (halved)
- Blueberries
- Marshmallows (or banana slices)
- Wooden skewers
Instructions:
Thread strawberries, blueberries, and marshmallows onto skewers in a red-white-blue pattern. Serve chilled for a refreshing and patriotic snack.
๐ญ 2. Grilled Hot Dog Bar
Ingredients:
- Hot dogs & buns
- Assorted toppings: ketchup, mustard, relish, diced onions, sauerkraut, shredded cheese, chili
Instructions:
Grill hot dogs until heated through and lightly charred. Set up a toppings bar so guests can customize their own!
๐ฅ 3. Easy Ranch Potato Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs baby red potatoes (boiled & quartered)
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients together and chill for at least 1 hour. Garnish with extra green onions or bacon bits if desired.
๐ 4. Mini Cheeseburger Sliders
Ingredients:
- Slider buns
- Ground beef patties (small)
- Cheese slices
- Pickles, ketchup, mustard
Instructions:
Grill or pan-cook small beef patties. Assemble with cheese and toppings on slider buns. Serve warm with toothpicks to hold together.
๐ 5. Watermelon Feta Salad
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cubed watermelon
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
- Juice of 1 lime
Instructions:
Toss watermelon with feta and mint. Drizzle with lime juice and chill before serving.
๐ฐ 6. No-Bake Berry Icebox Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 box graham crackers
- 2 cups whipped topping
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 1 cup blueberries
Instructions:
Layer graham crackers, whipped topping, and berries in a 9×13 dish. Repeat layers. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight to set.
Are you ready for some Family Fun this 4th of July?
The Morning Thing is here to help!
Check out these FUN Ideas for some Family Fun this Independence Day!
๐ Outdoor Activities
- Watch a Fireworks Show โ Find a local display or do a small, safe one at home.
- Backyard BBQ or Picnic โ Grill out classic American favorites.
- Decorate Bikes for a Parade โ Host a mini neighborhood bike parade.
- Play Lawn Games โ Cornhole, horseshoes, sack races, or a water balloon toss.
- Go to a Local Festival โ Many towns host 4th of July events with food and games.
- Camp Out in the Backyard โ Stargaze, tell stories, and enjoy sโmores.
- Host a Water Day โ Sprinklers, slip n’ slide, kiddie pools, or a water balloon fight.
๐จ Creative Fun
- DIY T-Shirts or Tie-Dye โ Use red, white, and blue to make festive shirts.
- Patriotic Face Painting โ Stars, stripes, and sparkles!
- Make 4th of July Crafts โ Flags, pinwheels, or paper fireworks.
- Decorate the Yard or House โ Let the kids help with flags and streamers.
๐ Food-Focused Fun
- Bake Patriotic Treats โ Star-shaped cookies, flag fruit pizza, or red/white/blue Jello cups.
- Create a Hot Dog or Ice Cream Bar โ Let everyone build their own.
- Make Homemade Lemonade or Snow Cones โ Perfect for hot weather.
๐ง Quiet or Indoor Options
- Watch an Independence Day-Themed Movie โ Ideas: National Treasure, The Sandlot, or Libertyโs Kids for younger viewers.
- Read Books About America โ Great for young kids to learn about history.
- Play Patriotic Music and Sing Along โ Teach classic American songs.
๐โโ๏ธ Get Moving
- Do a Family Walk or Bike Ride โ Explore a park or trail.
- Join a Fun Run or Parade โ Many towns host family-friendly events.
- Scavenger Hunt with a Red, White & Blue Theme โ Use household or nature items.
Want to know WHERE and WHEN to see fireworks this year?
Thanks to Knox Pages for this very informative list of Fireworks Displays and events happening around the Knox County Area! Click HERE to see their list of events for the 4th of July Weekend.
National Real Food Day!
Today on The Morning Thing, we celebrated National Real Food Day by sharing many food related topics! Including what National Real Food Day is, Real Food vs Fake Food, and some foods you’ve probably been storing wrong in your house.
What is it?
We talked a little bit about what it is, the history behind it, as well as how to celebrate it!
For more on that, click HERE!
Real Food vs Fake Food
Real Foods (Whole, Natural, Minimally Processed)
ยท Fresh fruits (apples, bananas, berries, oranges)
ยท Fresh vegetables (spinach, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes)
ยท Whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, oats)
ยท Nuts and seeds (almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds)
ยท Legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas)
ยท Fresh meat, poultry, fish (unprocessed cuts)
ยท Eggs (preferably free-range or organic)
ยท Dairy (plain milk, plain yogurt, cheese with minimal ingredients)
ยท Natural oils (olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil)
ยท Fresh herbs and spices
ยท Water
—
Fake Foods (Highly Processed, Artificial, or Industrial)
ยท Soda and sugary soft drinks
ยท Packaged snacks (chips, cheese puffs, snack cakes)
ยท Instant noodles or ramen with seasoning packets
ยท Processed meats (hot dogs, some deli meats, chicken nuggets)
ยท Artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes
ยท Candy bars and chocolate with added chemicals and fillers
ยท Fast food burgers and fries
ยท Frozen meals with preservatives and additives
ยท Highly refined baked goods (white bread with preservatives, packaged cakes)
ยท Margarine and hydrogenated oils (trans fats)
ยท Artificial flavorings, colorings, and preservatives
ยท Energy drinks and powdered drink mixes
Foods you’ve been storing wrong!
Finally we talked about some of the foods we all have and how you may be storing them all wrong! This will help you make your food last longer.
To view that list, click HERE!
Easy vegetable recipes to eat healthier!
Today on The Morning Thing, we honored National Eat Your Vegetables Day! We shared shared a lot of information on the day and how to celebrate it. As well as many fantastic vegetable centric recipes for you to use! These recipes are easy, quick, tasty, and you can customize them any way you like.
Here are our recipes:
Rainbow Veggie Wraps
- Ingredients:ย
- Whole wheat tortillasย
- Hummus or cream cheeseย
- Shredded carrotsย
- Sliced cucumbersย
- Baby spinachย
- Red bell pepper stripsย
- Purple cabbage, shreddedย
- Directions:ย
Spread hummus or cream cheese on a tortilla. Layer the veggies in rainbow order. Roll tightly and slice into pinwheels if desired.
Cheesy Broccoli Bites
- Ingredients:ย
- 2 cups steamed, chopped broccoliย
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheeseย
- ยฝ cup breadcrumbsย
- 1 eggย
- Salt and pepper to tasteย
- Directions:ย
Mix all ingredients and form into small balls or patties. Bake at 375ยฐF for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Ingredients:ย
- 4 bell peppers, tops cut off and seeds removedย
- 1 cup cooked quinoa or riceย
- 1 can black beans, rinsedย
- 1 cup cornย
- 1 cup diced tomatoesย
- 1 tsp cuminย
- Shredded cheese (optional)ย
- Directions:ย
Mix filling ingredients, stuff peppers, and bake at 375ยฐF for 30โ35 minutes. Top with cheese for the last 5 minutes if desired.
Crispy Zucchini Fries
- Ingredients:ย
- 2 zucchinis, cut into friesย
- 1 egg, beatenย
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko preferred)ย
- ยฝ cup grated Parmesan cheeseย
- Italian seasoningย
- Directions:ย
Dip zucchini in egg, then breadcrumb mixture. Bake at 400ยฐF for 20โ25 minutes until crispy.
Summer Corn & Tomato Salad
- Ingredients:ย
- 2 cups fresh corn (cut from cob or thawed frozen)ย
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halvedย
- ยผ cup chopped red onionย
- Fresh basil, choppedย
- Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt & pepperย
- Directions:ย
Toss everything together and chill before serving.
Ratatouille Skillet
- Ingredients:ย
- 1 eggplant, dicedย
- 1 zucchini, slicedย
- 1 red bell pepper, choppedย
- 1 yellow squash, slicedย
- 1 can crushed tomatoesย
- Garlic and Italian herbsย
- Directions:ย
Sautรฉ all veggies until soft, then stir in tomatoes and seasonings. Simmer for 10โ15 minutes. Serve with crusty bread.
Garden Veggie Pasta Salad
- Ingredients:ย
- 2 cups cooked pastaย
- 1 cup cherry tomatoesย
- ยฝ cup cucumbersย
- ยฝ cup red onionย
- ยฝ cup broccoli floretsย
- Italian dressingย
- Directions:ย
Toss cooked pasta with chopped veggies and dressing. Chill and serve.
Veggie Tacos
- Ingredients:ย
- Corn or flour tortillasย
- Sautรฉed bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and mushroomsย
- Avocado slicesย
- Salsa or hot sauceย
- Directions:ย
Warm tortillas, fill with sautรฉed veggies and toppings. Add lime juice or cheese if desired.
Some fun ways to Celebrate!
๐ฅฆ National Eat Your Vegetables Day โ 20 Fun Ways to Celebrate!
Celebrate June 17th with healthy, tasty fun!
๐ฅ Fun & Tasty Celebrations
ยท โข Veggie Taste Test Challenge โ Try a new vegetable or compare raw vs. cooked.
ยท โข Build-Your-Own Salad Bar โ Offer a variety of greens, toppings, and dressings.
ยท โข Make Veggie-Based Snacks โ Try carrot fries, cucumber boats, or zucchini chips.
ยท โข Go Meatless for a Meal โ Choose one meal to go fully plant-based.
ยท โข Juice or Smoothie Station โ Blend up colorful veggie smoothies.
ยท โข Cook a Rainbow โ Make a dish using veggies of every color.
ยท โข Veggie Potluck โ Invite friends or coworkers to share veggie dishes.
๐จ Creative & Educational Activities
ยท โข Veggie Art or Carving โ Make funny faces or sculptures using vegetables.
ยท โข โName That Veggieโ Game โ Blindfold taste tests or silhouette guessing.
ยท โข Visit or Plant a Garden โ Explore where veggies come from or plant seeds together.
ยท โข Veggie Storytime โ Read books like ‘Eating the Alphabet’ or ‘Rah, Rah, Radishes!’
ยท โข Veggie Bingo โ Create a card with different veggies to encourage variety.
๐ฑ Social & Community Engagement
ยท โข Share a Veggie Recipe Online โ Post your favorite veggie dish on social media.
ยท โข Host a Cooking Demo โ Teach others how to cook a veggie meal (live or virtual).
ยท โข Visit a Farmerโs Market โ Buy and try local, seasonal vegetables.
ยท โข Volunteer โ Help at a food pantry or community garden.
๐ Healthy Competitions & Challenges
ยท โข โMost Veggies in a Dayโ Contest โ Track how many servings you eat.
ยท โข Veggie Selfie Challenge โ Snap a pic with your veggie plate and tag friends.
ยท โข Veggie Tracker โ Compete to try the most different veggies during the week.
ยท โข Prizes & Stickers โ Reward yourself or kids with veggie-themed goodies.
Eat smart. Have fun. Share the love of veggies!
What is on Your June Bucket List?
On the Morning Thing Wednesday, Eric shared some fun activities that you should have on your bucket list for the month of June (which starts this Sunday).
Some of the items include:
- Go on a walking tour of your town or a nearby community.
- Try a new flavor of ice cream
- Have an outdoor movie night
- Go on a fishing trip.
Click HERE to see the June Bucket List from Ordinary and Happy.com
The Morning Thing Friday Favorites – All about ice cream!
Today, we have a special Friday Favorites for you! The Morning Thing hosts shared their favorite ice cream flavor and their favorite way to eat it! You can catch the Big Blue Crew at the Utica Ice Cream Festival is this weekend!
Click HERE to learn more about the festival!
Everything you need to know about the Utica Ice Cream Festival!
We got to chat with sisters Luconda and Joanne Dager, the President and Vice President of Velvet Ice Cream, as well as Whitney Priest, the Utica Ice Cream Festival Director! The amazing ladies share with us about everything the festival has to offer! They also give us some insight on what it is like to create new ice cream flavors and products.
They will be giving out over 4,000 ice cream products at the festival this weekend! It’s a great way to spend memorial day!
Here are the topics highlighted:
- The history of Velvet Ice Cream, the Utica Ice Cream Festival and the Dager family legacy
- A look into the operation of the Ye Old Mill
- How long it takes to create a new ice cream product
- Some statistics on how much ice cream they need to make and give out at the festival
- ALL the details of the festival including
- Where?
- When?
- Parking
- Event schedule
- Ice cream eating contest!
And just for fun we get to hear some of the ladies favorites!
For more information on the festival click HERE!
Mount Vernon Community Gardens Grow More Than Produce
On Monday, the Morning Thing talked with Catie Hayes with the Knox County Local Food Council about the Mount Vernon Community Gardens.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
She explained how to start the process of getting a community garden.
Catie says there are several gardens around Knox County associated with the community garden project. She explains where they are located.
She also has quick tips for those using a community garden vs a private garden.
Catie says that taking part in a community garden can lead to great relationships.
Click HERE to find out more about the Mount Vernon Community Gardens
The Morning Thing Friday Favorites 2/28/25
February is National Snack Food Month. For our Friday Favorites today, The Morning Thing hosts share their favorite snacks to eat! We honor this celebration before the month ends.