Velvet Ice Cream celebrates a family legacy and the tradition of the Utica Sertoma Ice Cream Festival

Marcy Rinehart of The Morning Thing talked with Luconda Dager, President of Velvet Ice Cream.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

She shared the rich family history of Velvet. She is part of the 4th generation leading the company.
Luconda shared the history of the Ye Olde Mill and the Utica Sertoma Ice Cream Festival.
There are many exciting events coming this weekend for families to have fun!
They talked about ice cream eating contests, favorite flavors, and recipes, and that Velvet plans to serve around 5,500 gallons of ice cream this weekend at the festival!
Don’t miss the family fun this weekend in Utica!

Click HERE for the festival details.

Click HERE to connect with Velvet Ice Cream – check out the yummy recipes!

Click HERE for details on how you can win gift cards to Ye Olde Mill with WNZR!

May 25, 2023 0

Red Rocks Worship is coming to Sonfest 2022 at MVNU!

WNZR’s Wesley Boston had a chance to talk with Kory Miller from Red Rocks Worship.

They are the headliner at MVNU’s Sonfest on Saturday, 9/17/2022.

Kory shared the band’s #1 goal – to worship the Lord!
He also shared how the group has seen God use Christian music in powerful ways through radio stations and at their concerts. Kory also shares the news about the next album for the band. Enjoy the conversation.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation

Click HERE for all the details about Sonfest 2022.

Click HERE to find out how to win a FUN WNZR/MVNU T-Shirt Prize Package at Sonfest!

Sonfest Lineup:

SonFest 2022 has lots to offer. Take a look at what we’ve got going on throughout the day!

NOON

Gates, Food Trucks, and Inflatables Open

2:00 P.M.

BMX Bike Show #1 Starts

4:30 P.M.

BMX Bike Show #2 Starts

Main Stage Bands

See who’s rocking our main stage for SonFest 2022!

1:10 PM

– The New Respects –

2:35 PM

– Wolves at the Gate –

4:00 PM

– Blanca –

5:45 PM

– Trip Lee –

7:50 PM

– Red Rocks Worship –

Side Stage Bands

We’ve got some awesome side stage bands for SonFest 2022 – see below!

1:45 PM

– Poetic Descent –

3:10 PM

– Soft Sound –

4:50 PM

– Sam Day –

6:35 PM

– Safekept –

9:30 P.M.

SonFest 2022 Closing

Artists and schedule are subject to change.

September 15, 2022 0

Tonight is September First Friday! Get ready for some FUN!

WNZR is honored to partner with Experience Mount Vernon for some amazing community events.

Tonight is September First Friday – an amazing night of fun for everyone!

Experience Mount Vernon Downtown Manager, Anthony McNeal talked with The Morning Thing about this wonderful event and how your visit to downtown greatly impacts our city!

Click HERE to hear the conversation.

Anthony shared:

Thoughts about August First Friday
The theme for September First Friday – Back to School Night
Highlights of a full schedule of activities including: MTVarts performances including flash mobs, Johnny Appleseed Apple Challenge, Cruise-In, Jersey (a Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band), The Activity Zone, Touch a Truck, and more!
Food options at September First Friday
Parking options, including where handicap parking is located. He shares about the bike valet option if people choose to bike to downtown.
Anthony thanks the sponsors for September First Friday.
Preview of the next upcoming events for Experience Mount Vernon including the Johnny Appleseed Apple Festival which will take place on October 7. He also shares some dates for holiday events: Saturday, November 26 will be the lighting ceremony 5:30pm – 6pm, then pictures with Santa at the MV Grand Hotel. Sunday, 11/27 at 2pm they will host the holiday season parade. The Festival of Lights date will be announced soon.

Stay connected with Experience Mount Vernon online at https://www.experiencemv.org/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ExperienceMountVernon

September 2, 2022 0

MVNU is headed to September First Friday

MVNU is a proud sponsor of the September First Friday event. The theme this month is “Back to School” Night! You can find MVNU’s tables and activities in the Community Corner section.
The community corner will be located on West Gambier Street near South Main Plaza. Stop by and have fun at each table!

We talked with representatives from the MVNU Departments that will be participating at First Friday. Click HERE to hear the conversations.

They each shared details about their program, the role they have at MVNU, and their goals for the 2022-2023 academic year. They also gave us highlights of the fun activities coming to September First Friday.
You can learn more about the academic programs at MVNU at – https://www.mvnu.edu/academicprograms

Thanks to these faculty members for talking with WNZR:

Dr. Jessica Grubaugh, Associate Dean for the Jetter School of Professional Studies and the Education Department Chair for GPS

Dr. Florence Lim-Hardjono, Assistant Professor and Program Director, Communication Sciences and Disorders

Dr. Carrie Beal, Professor of Biology and Chair of Biology and Physical Sciences

Warren Neal, Adjunct School of Nursing & Health Science

Dr. Rachel Young, Chair of Social Work, GPS Coordination, Assistant Professor of Social Work and Field Education Director

Dr. Jose Oommen, Chair of the Engineering Program

August 31, 2022 0

Joe Bell talks with WNZR about the 2022 Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival

Joe Bell serves as the Co-Director of the Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival Board. He talked with local media about this year’s festival.

He talks about how this festival has something for everyone and lets people be creative.
He shares details of this year’s Festival Wood Challenge and explains the theme of creating toys and unique items for children.
The Wood Challenge items will be on display in the Mount Vernon Grand Hotel Ballroom throughout the festival. They will be auctioned off on Saturday, 8/13 at 6pm in front of City Hall.

Joe also talks about another NEW creative challenge for local artists involving 8-foot carousel horses!

Another NEW event at this year’s festival is the Bistro. Play It Blue Jazz will perform Friday night from 10pm – 11pm for a perfect and relaxing way to end the evening.

Joe Bell shares his excitement about seeing imagination and creativity coming to life at the festival. We hope that you will join WNZR in downtown Mount Vernon this week!

Click HERE to hear the conversation.

Stay connected with the 2022 Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival at their website – https://www.mvmaf.org/

Click HERE to see the Wood Challenge pieces that are up for bid. You can place your bid now!

Click HERE to see this year’s schedule.
Click HERE to see a map for this year’s festival.

August 10, 2022 0

WNZR purchases a steer at the Knox County Junior Fair Sale

WNZR teamed up with Kokosing Inc., Mount Vernon Nazarene University Admissions and A+ Autobrokers to purchase a steer at the Knox County Fair.

We purchased the steer from Ava Snively of Danville. The purchase price was $2,000!
Ava will be a Sophomore at Danville High School. She is a member of the Chapel View Barn Buddies 4-H Club and the Danville FFA.
The steer weighs 1,162 pounds. The steer is a full-blooded Black Angus. It was grain fed on feed purchased from Danville Feed and Supply. No growth hormones or other artificial growth substances were used.
Ava is part of a family that celebrates 5 generations in farming!
Click HERE to listen to the wonderful conversations with Ava and her family.

We will give away the beef on Saturday, 7/30/22 at 10am.
Big Blue will not be at the Fair on Saturday. The giveaway will be held in the WNZR studios on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
You MUST LISTEN to win! We start drawing names at 10am on Saturday, 7/30/22. If your name is drawn, you will have 9 minutes and 9 seconds to call 740-392-9090 to claim your prize OR come to the WNZR Studios on the second floor of Founders Hall on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

Smithhisler Meats will provide the processing. Cosby Heating and Cooling gives a $100 gift card to Kroger to each winner too!

For more details about this contest, go to www.wnzr.fm

Complete rules for One The Road with Big Blue can be found here – https://www.wnzr.fm/contest-rules