The Morning Thing celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Today, we celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior.
We shared the history of this special holiday and some facts on how this amazing man changed history.

Click HERE to read more about the difference Dr. King made in our country’s history.

We also shared some powerful quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Junior that will inspire you!
Click HERE to access 57 different quotes compiled by Country Living Magazine!

Some of our favorites:

  • “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
  • “Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude.”
  • “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”
  • “The beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace is more precious than diamonds or silver or gold.
  • “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”
  • “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
  • “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”
  • “I think I have discovered the highest good. It is love.”
  • “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
  • “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
  • “In some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.”
  • “He who hates does not know God, but he who loves has the key that unlocks the door to the meaning of ultimate reality.”
  • “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

(picture from www.history.com)

Want to try a NEW recipe for 2024? The Morning Thing is here to help!

This week, The Morning Thing celebrated trying NEW things in the NEW year. All week long, we shared fun activities to try in 2024.

Many of us want to eat healthier, it is one of the top New Year’s resolutions.
We all want to spend less time in the drive-thru and more time around the dinner table with our family and friends.
We are excited to link you to 18 different recipes that you can try in 2024! The editors and staff members of Southern Living Magazine came up with a list of the recipes that topped their must-make lists of 2024. Click HERE to see the full list!

Here are the recipes that Marcy and Josiah talked about this morning.

 Chicken Salad

Cheddar Cheese Straws

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Million Dollar Spaghetti

Honey Chai Granola

Chocolate Chip Pie

The Morning Thing Friday Favorites – What is on your bucket list for 2024?

All this week we have been talking about NEW things for the NEW Year.
Today for our Friday Favorites, we decided to share the NEW things that we want to try in 2024.
Some of these items are simple ideas for our daily lives, but some ideas are from our bucket lists.
We hope that we encourage you to be brave and try something new as we create new memories in 2024.
Thanks for listening to The Morning Thing.

WNZR presents the December 2023 MVNU Presidential Update

MVNU’s new President, Dr. Carson Castleman, talked with WNZR with our monthly MVNU Update.

Dr. Carson Castleman talked about wrapping up fall semester.
He shared that he is so thankful for the opportunity to come to MVNU to serve along the faculty, staff, and students.
He announced the hiring of a two new Vice Presidents.
The new VP of Spiritual Life and Church Relations is Rev. David Mills.
The new VP for Enrollment and Marketing is Johnna Vanover, a 2011 MVNU graduate.

Dr. Carson Castleman also shared an update on the Strategic Investment Projects or SIP’s.
He shared the latest news on the Master of Science and Speech Language Pathology, Master of Social Work and Doctorate Program of Nurse Practitioners.

MVNU is also starting an exciting program called Ignite. This new two-year certificate program is designed to support high school graduates with intellectual disabilities.

Dr. Castleman also talked about two challenges for all colleges and universities – budgeting and enrollment. He shared his plans for building lasting connections and opportunities for growth.

Dr. Castleman talked about his top priorities for MVNU in the year 2024.
His top priority is enrollment, and he wants others to know and experience MVNU.

He shares a special message for students, faculty and staff as the fall semester ends.
He also shares a family update and the Castleman plans for Christmas.

Click HERE to stay up to date with news from MVNU.

Who is overlooked that needs thanked this Thanksgiving?

Our Morning Thing hosts today shared about those who might go overlooked this thanksgiving that actually have quite the impact on our everyday life. Crosswalk.com encourages us to show appreciation to those who might go overlooked this Thanksgiving! Here are some of the folks we want to remember this season! For a complete list of where can start to reflect, click HERE

1. Teachers

Our teachers do so much for us and our children and deserve our appreciation.

2. Daycare/Preschool Teachers

Although this job is fun and fulfilling, it is also not an easy one. We have to play various roles during our day, like teacher, surrogate parent, disciplinarian, server, psychologist, friend, etc. Teachers at this level aren’t appreciated for doing so much in teaching the littlest of minds. In addition, if you see the director or co-director, cleaning staff, or cook, thank them too.

3. School Bus Drivers

Bus drivers are out in the sun, wind, rain, fog, and snow, getting our kids to school safely. They are a very important part of our day.

4. Barista

When ordering your favorite cup of coffee at your favorite shop, thank the barista who made it.

5. Fast Food Workers

It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily hustle and bustle of life, but thank the cashier and crew at your favorite fast-food restaurant the next time you go in or go through a drive-thru. Often, all they hear is the negative, so they will appreciate a positive word.

Do you have one worker who is always pleasant or always gets your order right? Then do something special to show your appreciation.

This season, let’s make an effort to reflect on how we can better appreciate those who have such an awesome impact on our lives!

Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon collects Coats for Kids!

The Morning Thing shared a conversation about an exciting collection to benefit families in Knox County.
WNZR’s Alyssa Sidle talked with Lisa Lloyd, Program Director for the Knox County Foundation and Kiwanis Member about the club’s annual Coats for Kids Collection. You can access the full conversation below.

The Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon is excited to partner again with Gault’s Plaza Cleaners for the drive. During the month of October, gently used coats will be collected at various locations throughout Knox County. The coats will be cleaned by Gault’s Plaza Cleaners then taken to Interchurch Social Services and the Salvation Army to be distributed to children in need before winter arrives. There are 29 different partner locations in Knox County accepting donations through the 31st.

Interchurch and the Salvation Army are predicting that the need this year will be even greater than previous years. Salvation Army’s Captain Christine Moretz said “We have seen an increase to our food pantry and hot meal needs.  It would not be surprising to see the increased need for coats as well this coming winter season.”

Carolyn Fergus, Executive Director of Interchurch Social Services agreed, adding “Our numbers have doubled since the beginning of this year. There are so many families needing help making ends meet. A warm coat at no cost will go a long way to meet their needs.”

Kiwanis is dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.

Since 1987 there have been 19,226 coats donated, cleaned, and distributed through Coats for Kids.
For more information, call Lisa Lloyd at 740-392-3270, ext. 2.

Drop off Locations:

CENTERBURG
Centerburg Elementary: 207 South Preston Street
Centerburg Middle/High School: 3782 Columbus Road
Park National Bank: 35 West Main Street

DANVILLE
Danville Elementary/Middle School: 205 Rambo Street
Danville High School: 405 South Market Street
Park National Bank: 4 South Market Street

FREDERICKTOWN
Fredericktown Elementary/Middle/High School: 111 Stadium Drive
Park National Bank: 137 North Main Street

GAMBIER
Gambier Child Care Center (Head Start): 119 Meadow Lane
The Peoples Bank: 103 East Wiggin Street
Wiggin Street Elementary: 207 East Wiggin Street

HOWARD
East Knox Jr./Sr. High School: 23227 Coshocton Road

MOUNT VERNON
CES Credit Union: 1215 Yauger Road & 400 West Chestnut Street
Chamber of Commerce: 501 South Main Street
Gault’s Plaza Cleaners: Kroger Plaza, 855 Coshocton Road
Knox County Career Center: 306 Martinsburg Road
Knox County Head Start (Hew Hope Early Education): 11700 Upper Gilchrist Road
Knox County Service Center: 117 East High Street
Knox Technical Center: 308 Martinsburg Road
Mount Vernon City Schools
Columbia Elementary: 150 Columbus Road
– Dan Emmett Elementary: 108 Mansfield Road
– East Elementary: 714 East Vine Street
– Mount Vernon High School: 300 Martinsburg Road
– Mount Vernon Middle School: 298 Martinsburg Road
– Pleasant Street Elementary: 305 East Pleasant Street
– Twin Oak Elementary: 8888 Martinsburg Road
Park National Bank: 1 South Main & 810 Coshocton Avenue
Salvation Army of Mount Vernon: 206 East Ohio Avenue
The Peoples Bank: 11423 Upper Gilchrist Road
United Way of Knox County: 305 East High Street

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