Today is National Thrift Store day, so to celebrate we talked about some of the craziest Thrift Store finds!
Imagine finding an exercise guide that allows you to train and stretch with your cat! Count me in!
What about a giant floral tie? Or an old bowling alley computer? A furry scale? And a surprised monkey looking at himself in a mirror? All sorts of crazy thrift store finds!
Along with crazy thrift store finds, we also shared some smart thrift store shopping finds that people often miss. Some of those include tools and goods with lifetime warranties, maternity and infant clothing, great art and picture frames, and maybe even some signed books! You can see the full list and descriptions here.
We also recapped the Dan Emmett Music and Arts Festival where we talked with the Knox Idol winners Lauren Cagle, Megan Zaborski, and the Donut Eating competition winner Kevin Peterson.
You can hear our conversations with Lauren and Megan here, and with Kevin here.
The Morning Thing wrapped up Back to School week by talking about the STRESS that comes with this transition.
Click HERE to read some tips on how to handle the Back to School blues.
Here is another great article on dealing with Back to School stress. Click HERE.
The Morning Thing Fave 5 for the week of 8/10/15:
The Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival is this week in downtown Mount Vernon.
Here are our 5 favorite events at the festival this year:
The annual Dan Emmett Flower Show. This year’s theme is “The Trees of Knox County”. You can see these amazing artistic designs at The Living Center, 201 North Main St., Mount Vernon.
Local performers! Over the 4 days, the festival will have over 700 people performing. 75% of the performers are 18 years of age and younger. 93 – 95% are from Knox County! Knox County – we applaud your talent!
FOOD! We love getting another chance to enjoy festival food as summer winds down. Some of our favorites include: the Kiwanis Chicken Barbeque, the Exchange Club famous 2 inch pork chop and sno-cones from the Mental Health Association. YUMMY!!
History! This is the 28th annual Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival. One of our favorite things to see in downtown Mount Vernon is the Woodward Opera House. Stop by the southwest corner of South Main and Vine Streets to see this 19th century theater and find out the progress of the renovations. The Dan Emmett Bell this year celebrates the 160th anniversary of the Knox County Courthouse. We also celebrate Dan Emmett’s 200th birthday at this year’s festival.
The family atmosphere. The Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival brings family and friends together to make lifelong memories. Don’t forget to “see” some of these memories on the WNZR page on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You will see pictures from numerous activities from the festival, PLUS see pictures from our special WNZR Photo Booth.
We also shared some conversations with Dan Emmett Festival Committee members.
Click HERE to hear Joe Bell talk about the arts and crafts trade show and all that is happening on Main Street.
Click HEREto hear Jerry Scott share information about the Dan Emmett Bell Auction that will be held on the Main Stage at 8pm on Saturday.
Click HERE to hear Ben Staats talk about Sunday’s Antique and Classic Car Show.
Back to School week continues on The Morning Thing. Today, we talked about lunches!
Here are links to several articles that will be helpful as you navigate through the challenge of making healthy AND yummy lunches without breaking the family’s grocery budget.
Click HERE to find out how to make school lunches for less money.
Click HERE for recipe ideas for lunches that are good for kids and parents.
Click HERE to find out how to create new healthy habits for your kids and for the entire family.
Click HERE for more tips on healthy eating during the busy school year.
We also shared the 2015 GMA (Gospel Music Association) Dove Award Nominees. Click HERE to see the list. The 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards will be handed out on October 13, 2015 in Nashville, TN.
The Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival begins Today, 8/13/15!
We shared conversations with several committee members about events happening tonight in downtown Mount Vernon.
Click HERE to hear our conversation with Jill Spearman Macklin about the annual Cheer Competition happening at 6pm tonight.
Click HERE to hear our conversation with Mike Petee about the Chautauquas happening tonight at the Place at the Woodward.
Click HERE to hear our conversation with Marty Bell about tonight’s semi-final round of Knox Idol.
We hope to see you and your family in downtown Mount Vernon this week. See the Big Blue crew near the fountain on the public square. Get registered HERE for our fabulous prizes! On the Road with Big Blue – Prizes and Family Fun ALL year long!
It’s that time of year – school time! So this week on The Morning Thing we have been talking all about school and how to get ready for the upcoming school year. This morning we shared some tips and ideas to make it easier to get back into the school routine.
Some home organization tips include:
Setting up a homework station
Setting up a lunch packing station
Creating an are to place sports equipment
Establishing a family calendar
All these tips and ideas came from imom.com and you can see the complete list here.
What about getting back into the sleeping routine for the school schedule? Here are some tips!
Gradually adjust sleep and wake schedules 10 days to two weeks before the start of school. This will help setting their biological clocks to the new schedule.
Keep a regular bedtime even on weekends. This makes sure kids and teens are getting enough sleep. It also keeps their circadian rhythms regulated.
Your kids should have a relaxing bedtime routine that is age appropriate. This helps kids wind down. The routine should be the same every night so they associate all steps with sleep.
Create a sleep environment that is cool, quiet, dimly lit, and comfortable.
Electronics should be kept out of the bedroom. This included video games, televisions, computers, and cell phones. Use of electronics before bed can lead to poor sleep. Eliminate exposure to electronic media within an hour before bed.
Make sure your kids eat well and exercise regularly. Both these things promote sleep.
And for all you high school seniors out there, it’s time to think about those senior photos! Don’t be afraid to think out of the box for your photo’s, Brittany Creech, a teen from Missouri, decided to take some of her photos at a place where she has spent a lot of time with her friends during high school – Taco Bell.
We also continued our conversations with the members of the Dan Emmett Music and Arts Festival. You can hear our conversation with Festival Director Pat Crow about this year’s entertainment here and you can listen to our conversation with Susan Kahrl about this year’s youth showcase here.
It’s Back to School Week on The Morning Thing.
On Tuesday, we talked about back-to-school shopping. We shared some tips for smart shopping that will save you money.
These 2 articles have some GREAT tips for families.
The Big Blue Crew is also getting ready for the Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival.
Today we shared conversations about some of the events coming up this week in downtown Mount Vernon.
Aubrey Brown from the Knox County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau talked about the plans to celebrate Dan Emmett’s 200th Birthday. Click HERE to hear the plans for some fun events!
Matt Starr from the Dan Emmett Festival Board talked about how video will be incorporated into this year’s big concerts. Click HERE to hear more about our video crew.
Kevin Mishey from the Dan Emmett Festival Committee talked about Sunday’s motorcycle show. Click HERE to hear more about this exciting event.
Make sure that you look for the Big Blue Crew at the Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival. We will be located in front of the fountain on the public square in downtown Mount Vernon.
Click HERE for details on all of our prizes and how you can register to win!
On Monday’s show, we kicked off Back to School Week on The Morning Thing!
We talked about those back-to-school and orientation events. What are they? When are they? Why are they important?
Click HERE to read a great article about middle school orientations.
Click HERE to read a great article about high school orientations.
We also shared some tips for meeting your child’s new teacher and developing a great relationship for the upcoming school year. Here are two articles with some incredible tips that you can put into practice this year.
Click HERE to read about ways that parents can build a good relationship with their child’s teacher.
Click HERE for some tips on developing a positive relationship between the teacher and the student.
Here is a list of orientations, open houses and the first day of school for our local schools. Centerburg:
Elementary Open House, Monday 8/24, 6pm-8pm
6th Grade Open House, Tuesday 8/25, 2pm – 4pm
Middle and High School Open House, Tuesday 8/25, 6pm – 8pm
First Day of School – Thursday 8/27
Danville:
Open House for all grades, Monday 8/24, 5pm-6:30pm
First Day of School – Tuesday 8/25
Fredericktown:
Open House for all grades, Tuesday 8/18, 5:30pm-7pm
First Day of School – Thursday 8/20
Highland:
Open House for all buildings and all grades, Wednesday 8/12, 12:30pm – 7:00pm
First Day of School – Tuesday 8/18
East Knox:
Open House for grades 1-6, Monday 8/17, 6pm-7pm
7th Grade/New Student Orientation, Monday 8/17, 6:30pm
First Day of School (Grades 1 – 12) – Tuesday 8/18
First Day of School for Kindergarten – Thursday 8/20
Mount Vernon:
Freshman Orientation for students, Tuesday 8/11, 9am registration, 9:30am – 12pm program
Freshman Parent Orientation/Open House, Tuesday, 8/11, 7pm – 9:30pm
Middle School Open House, Thursday 8/13, 6pm – 7:30pm
Columbia Elementary School Welcome Back Event, Tuesday 8/18, 3pm
Dan Emmett Elementary School Back to School Night, Tuesday 8/18, 6:30pm -7:30pm
East Elementary School Back to School Night, Tuesday 8/18, 6pm – 7pm
Pleasant Street Elementary School Back to School Night, Tuesday 8/18, grades K – 2 meet from 6pm – 6:30pm, grades 3 – 5 meet from 6:30pm – 7pm
Twin Oak Elementary School Back to School Night, Tuesday, 8/18, 6:30pm -7:30pm
Wiggin Street Elementary School – Kindergarten Meet and Greet, Monday, 8/17, 4:30pm – 6pm, Grades 1-5 Open House, Tuesday, 8/18, 6pm – 7pm
First Day of School – Wednesday 8/19
St. Vincent:
Open House for all students, Saturday 8/15, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
First Day of School – Tuesday 8/18
We also featured our August Presidential Update with MVNU President, Dr. Henry Spaulding. Click HERE to hear the conversation about what is happening at 800 Martinsburg Road in Mount Vernon.
Our Morning Thing Fave 5 combines National Picnic Month and National Romance Month. Here is our list of Five Ultimate Romantic Picnic Destinations in the World. 1. On a beach in Hawaii at sunset – Hukilau Beach – Marcy
2. Cappadocia, Turkey. If you have a sunrise picnic, you are surrounded by Hot Air Balloons.
3. Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre
4. The banks of the river Seine in Paris – Wesley
5. On Waiheke Island, on a nice grassy area overlooking the beach under a Pohutakawa Tree – Annabelle
On Thursday, 8/6/15, The Morning Thing shared an update from Operation Christmas Child.
Did you know these facts about Operation Christmas Child?
Operation Christmas Child is reaching to the ends of the earth- sharing God’s love to children in over 100 countries- Even in Timbuktu!
It’s never too early to begin packing shoeboxes!
Right now you can begin taking advantage of the “Back to School” sales and begin stocking up on various school supplies, such as crayons, pencils, and notebooks.
Did you realize that a box of crayons in Uganda equates to a week’s worth of wages for many families and that having a pencil can make the difference between receiving an education, or not?
The packing of the simplest of gift items can have a powerful impact in the life of a child.
Operation Christmas Child is hoping to reach over 11 million children this upcoming season.
By the way, if you would like to have your church considered to become a drop-off location for the Operation Christmas Child Project this November, or for more information on how you can become involved in packing shoeboxes, learning more about the discipleship of children, or volunteering on an Area Team, please visit the Samaritan’s Purse website at samaritanspurse.org.
OCC is bringing Good News and Great Joy to the children of the world!
We also shared a story about Livia and how a shoebox changed her life.
Livia-and a-Necklace The friendship necklace in my shoebox transformed my life.
An American mission team was helping to give out the shoebox gifts at our orphanage. Every kid wanted one of them to hold on to, to give them hugs, to talk with them, to look in their eyes and let them feel important.
I became super-glued to a woman named Connie because I wanted the attention and the love that I didn’t get in the orphanage.
I literally didn’t share her with anyone else. I was so defensive of her, protecting her from every other kid because I knew this was my only chance to ever have someone talk to me, to ever have someone hold my hand. I told every kid who tried to get Connie’s attention, “Go away. This is my person. You go find somebody else.”
Then Connie gave me a shoebox gift. Before we opened the boxes, they shared the Gospel with us. It was something brand new to us.
Connie was with me the whole time I looked at my shoebox. At the top of the box, I found hairclips that I loved. Then I saw a bar of soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and other hygiene items that meant a lot to me. And then I found a friendship necklace.
I really wanted to thank Connie for the gift and the Gospel. For the first time I knew that there was hope out there and there was a God who loves me every day. I just wanted to tell her thank you for everything.
I picked up the friendship necklace and told Connie, “You keep half of the necklace. I’ll keep the other half. Maybe one day we can put our hearts together.”
As I shared the necklace with her I told her, “I love you.” That’s when God told Connie that she needed to adopt me.
I didn’t just hear the Gospel and learn that there is hope and love and get a bundle of joy that day with the hairclips. God wanted me to have more than that. He wanted me to have a family.
Living in the orphanage, I never allowed myself to dream. There was no way I could ever dream because I’d never get any of the things I wanted to get.
So when I found out that Connie’s family wanted to adopt me I was blown away. It was one of the most unexpected things to happen in my life.
The same year that I received the shoebox gift I accepted Christ. For the next two years while I was waiting for the adoption to be finalized I prayed constantly that God would make a way for me to be able to come to a family that would love me unconditionally.
I got the shoebox when I was 12 and I came to the United States to a brand new family when I was 14. It was something that only God made possible.
My shoebox is something imprinted on my heart that never goes away. It’s an unforgettable moment that I talk about every day. It had an everlasting impact—an eternal impact.
A buttery Brutus Buckeye and national championship trophy join annual favorites the butter cow and calf at the 2015 Ohio State Fair. This year`s theme, sponsored by the American Dairy Association Mideast, honors the Ohio State Buckeyes` 2015 football national championship victory. The display includes two Ohio State football helmets and a life-size replica of head football coach Urban Meyer. Fairgoers can view the butter display at the fair from July 29 to August 9.
We also shared details about the #ButterCowNameGame. You can name the Ohio State Fair butter cow and calf.
Moo-ve over Buckeyes! The Ohio State Fair butter cow Twitter naming contest is back, and two fair favorites are counting on fairgoers to whip up the most creative names.
The annual butter cow and calf are sharing the spotlight with life-size butter replicas of Brutus Buckeye and Ohio State Coach Urban Meyer at the State Fair this year.
Today through Aug. 9, fairgoers can submit names for the butter cow and calf via Twitter using the hashtag, #ButterCowNameGame. The American Dairy Association Mideast will award the winner with a Go Pro HERO LCD Camera on Aug. 10.
The 2014 winning names were, “Scarlett and Grayce,” celebrating Ohio pride. Other submissions played off of Lebron James’ return back to the Cavs, including “LeButter James,” and the “LeBron Cattleiers.” Even President Barack “Moo-bama” made his way to the list.
For updates, follow: @OHDairyFarmers
Hashtag: #ButterCowNameGame
Did you know that August is National Romance Month? We shared 50 simple ways to be romantic. Try a few of these before the end of the month. *Some of these tips are for married couples only!* 🙂
Despite the fact that Back-to-School advertisements are out in full force it is still the peak of summer. August is one of the sunniest and hottest months, after all. This means many things- vacations to the beach, ice cream, tanning… and grilling and sweating. Granted, grilling and sweating typically aren’t two things that are talked about in tandem, but that is exactly what we did on the show this morning. Well, grilling and deodorant at least.
Do you apply your deodorant in the morning? Research shows that this might not actually be the best method. Applying it at night might actually make the bigger difference. Want to know why? It’s all right here. We also shared some other interesting facts about deodorant. Why? It’s an $18 billion a year industry and something most of us use every day- but if you check out the facts we shared you’ll learn that not everyone has to do that.
When it comes to grilling we usually think about dinner. But what about brunch? Turns out you can mix things up and throw your brunch on the griddle. Check out all the recipes that we shared this morning here.
And perhaps you decide to have a little coffee with your brunch. Perhaps it’s still a little early and you’re not paying attention and the next thing you know… OH NO! The coffee has spilled and now you’re facing the daunting task of cleaning up the stain. Or is it so daunting? Here are the tips we found for getting coffee stains out of just about anything!
On The Morning Thing today we talked about essential beauty products that you didn’t know you needed! Anti-aging facial serum, hand cream with SPF, silk pillow cover, and clarifying shampoo and conditioner are just some of the few! You can see the list from today.com here:
Also, in our segment What’s Trending, we shared about how the toy company Ty Inc. has created a beanie baby of Cecil the Lion in order to raise funds for animal conversation efforts! Creation of the toy comes after an American dentist was accused of killing the well-known lion named Cecil in Zimbabwe in an allegedly illegal hunt. The incident set off a worldwide uproar. Ty Inc. CEO Ty Warner said Monday the company, based in the Chicago suburb of Westmont, hopes the Beanie Baby will raise awareness for animal conservation and “give comfort to all saddened by the loss of Cecil.” The toy will go on sale at the end of September.
Ty Warner introduces Cecil the Lion Beanie Baby – 100% of profits from the original sale to WildCRU, the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit of University of Oxford in Oxford England. (PRNewsFoto/Ty Inc.)
We also talked about paper towels and five place you should NOT use them! Paper towels are great yes, but they also can potentially scratch and damage some surfaces. So be wary about where you use them. Check out the Good Housekeeping article we found that talks about where not to use them here.
Rise and Shine 