Nearly Impossible Trivia: Win Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo Tickets!
The Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo returns to Lenovo Center on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Tickets are on sale now at ticketmaster.com. Or… you can listen to win a four-pack for you and your family with Nearly Impossible Trivia, 12/1 – 12/5, by listening at 5:50 am and 5:05 pm.
Gold Star Teacher of the Month: Andrea Milner, December 2025
Our QDR Gold Star Teacher of the month for December is Andrea Milner, Third Grade Teacher at River Dell Elementary School.
Mrs. Milner was nominated by one of her students’ parents, who says, “Mrs. Milner has been an amazing teacher this year for my daughter. My daughter sometimes struggles with being positive, especially when it comes to things she is not good at doing and this causes her to easily give up. Mrs. Milner has been working with her to get through that negative space and to really try hard, even on those things she has trouble in. Beyond that, Mrs. Milner is a fun, peppy, positive teacher who has a love and joy of teaching (which she shows through her decades of dedication to teaching)! She is always trying to make learning fun and unique, hands on as well as through traditional learning. She is great at helping the kids decompress and not stress, especially considering how testing intensive third grade is. I feel like my daughter has thrived under her care and guidance so far this year and I am looking forward to seeing how she continues to grow and excel through the rest of the year. If anyone is super deserving of recognition it is her! Thank you, Mrs. Milner!”
Mrs. Milner received a plaque from Creative Images in Cary, a $100 Visa gift card from April Stephens Team of eXp Realty, Make Your Move With Confidence, and $100 from Kanki Japanese House of Steak and Sushi, For Food, Fun and A Little Fire.”
Tending God’s earth: a journey of faith through gardening
By MIKE RALEY WPTF Weekend Gardener
I have always believed that God is in everything. There can be nothing on Earth to which this idea applies more than a garden. Don’t forget — one of God’s first creations was the Garden of Eden. George Bernard Shaw once wrote, “The best place to find God is in a garden.”
For me, gardening has become a spiritual quest. I would like to say I have been a gardener all my life, but truthfully, I hated pulling weeds as a boy and never pursued working in God’s earth until I was unexpectedly thrown into hosting a radio gardening show more than four decades ago.
Now, my life revolves around my family, the small patch of ground where my house sits, and one of the most exquisite and sacred settings in Raleigh — the church grounds of St. Michael’s.
When I need to relax from the daily grind or pray about life’s difficulties, I come to St. Michael’s. I walk the labyrinth path, sit on a bench and try not to think — just breathe in the fragrances and absorb the beauty around me. Yes, I still pull weeds and plant shrubs, trees and flowers — though not as often as I’d like. It’s my small contribution to the eight acres donated to our congregation more than 60 years ago. It’s a mission — a spiritual mission. Few things feel more sacred than working the soil of a church campus.
In 2009, I decided to contribute more to my church than the typical Sunday duties many of us take on to lend a hand. I attended my first grounds committee meeting — and left that chilly March evening as chairman. My head spun at first, but I took it as a sign that God wanted me to grow spiritually and deepen my gardening education.
Eight years later, I’m still the chairman of the grounds committee. Joining that group and devoting myself to a part of God’s work has introduced me to some of the finest people I’ve ever known. We affectionately call them the “lay weeders.” They are dedicated members of our parish who, along with our groundskeeper, Jesus, nurture these grounds with the love only a gardener can feel.
One of my favorite garden prayers reads:
“Help us, O God, to be ever mindful of the beauties around us. May we grow with our flowers in gentleness, patience, courage, laughter and faith.
As we turn the brown soil and plant our seed, may we learn faith — in the goodness of the earth, the clemency of the sun, the fullness of the clouds.
May we be grateful for the privilege of being coworkers with God in the creation of even one tiny flower.
And grant that we may know the great joy that comes from sharing with others.”
Yes, God is in the people, the buildings and the gardens of St. Michael’s. From the succulents and mondo grass in the Memorial Garden to the fragrant winter daphne in the Manly Garden to the roses that greet parishioners and visitors season after season, the gardens of St. Michael’s are a part of God’s creation and our spiritual education.
12 Days of Christmas, Powered by Sunrise Dental, and Thompson Buick GMC
It’s QDR’s 12 Days of Christmas, getting you ready for the holidays, powered by Sunrise Dental and Thompson Buick GMC!
Santa Q has a pile of presents for you to unwrap like gift cards to awesome retailers like: Aunt Ruby’s Peanuts, Brigs Restaurant, The Butcher’s Market, Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo, Country Connection, Garibaldi Trattoria Pizza & Pasta, Hardee’s, My Way Tavern, Screen Medics, The Fish Room, Tracie’s Boots and Buckles, or Triangle Shooting Academy.
The winning starts December 3rd. Listen weekdays at 7:20 am, 9:20 am, 11:20 am, 12:20 pm, 3:20 pm, and 5:20 pm.
Hometown Hero of the Week: Tyler Welch, November 26th, 2025
Our QDR Hometown Hero of the week is Tyler Welch, Chatham County Sheriff’s Deputy.
Tyler has been with the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office for over 6 years. It’s what he always wanted to do. He loves his county and its people. Tyler participates in community functions and volunteers at the local food banks. Even when he’s not on duty, he does what he can to ensure the people around him are safe. Tyler has gotten many achievements over the course of his time with the Sheriff’s department, most notably, he won the Top Gun shooting award last year during qualifying. Additionally, he received the Life Saving award for his heroic and selfless actions that saved a person’s life. When Tyler isn’t working or volunteering in his community, you can find him on the boat fishing. That’s his second passion in life, and he uses that passion to help others. He volunteers with Take A Warrior Fishing, which is a local non-profit that pairs boating volunteers with veterans for a day of fishing, fellowship, and fun. He’s participated in 3 Warrior fishing tournaments as well as taken veterans fishing outside of those tournaments. He’s very modest and would tell you that he does all of those things because that’s what he’s supposed to do, but his call to serve and protect is something he was made for. He deserves to be recognized for his hard work and dedication. (He’s also a Huge Caniac and Slavin fan!! You can find him at every home Canes game when he’s not working! Haha).
Thank you, Wyatt, for your service! As a token of our appreciation, we’re sending you a $50 gift card to Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q to thank you for all you do.
Write a Letter to Santa Q and Win Zach Bryan Tickets!
How would you like Santa Q to bring you Zach Bryan concert tickets? Write a letter to Santa Q and explain why you’re deserving to be on his EXTRA Nice list to win tickets. If Santa Q picks your letter, we’ll read it on the radio and send you to see Zach Bryan on his “With Heaven ON Top Tour” at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday, April 18th, 2026!
Be sure to sign up for the pre-sale and give Santa Q a good reason to bring you FREE tickets from 94-7 QDR!
Win an NC Wine Experience!
North Carolina Wine lovers, enter to win one of five fabulous NC winery experiences—brought to you by NC Wine! Here are the exciting details of each experience:
Enjoy a complimentary Luxe Tasting for 4, plus a $75 Gift Certificate to enjoy lunch at The Bistro at Childress Vineyards.
Enjoy a $100 Gift Certificate that can be used for tasting, as well as at their restaurant.
Enjoy a $100 Gift Certificate that can be used for tasting, as well as at their Bistro Europa.
Enjoy a complimentary tasting for 2, plus a voucher for their Adopt a Vine Program—where you can have your very own vine make your very own wine!
Enjoy a complimentary Tasting for 2, plus an $80 Gift Certificate to enjoy lunch at the Harvest Grill at Shelton Vineyards.
Fursday: Meet Baba from Saving Grace Adoptions!
Baba is a sweet black pup with short, shiny fur and the gentlest of hearts. A lab mix who weighs about 20 lbs, Baba has lots of room to grow. While he’s still learning the ropes of puppyhood and figuring out just how wonderful people can be, he’s already showing his affectionate side. He’s known for giving kisses freely, proving that even a slightly shy pup can have endless affection to share. Baba is a fun boy who loves a good squeaky toy, especially if he use it to play together with his siblings. With patience and love, Baba is sure to grow into a loyal companion who will shower his family with sweetness for years to come.
Hometown Hero of the Week: Wyatt Godwin, November 19th, 2025
Our QDR Hometown Hero of the week is Wyatt Godwin, Police Officer for the town of Cary.
“I would like to nominate Officer Wyatt Godwin for the Hometown Hero Award. For the past three years, Wyatt has served the town of Cary as a dedicated police officer. His commitment to protecting and serving our community extends beyond the badge—he’s a compassionate and hardworking individual who always puts others first.
Service runs deep in Wyatt’s family. His father proudly served as the Chief of Police in Cary, and Wyatt is now following in his footsteps with the same strength of character, integrity, and dedication. It’s clear that the values of leadership and public service have been passed down, and Wyatt honors that legacy every day he puts on the uniform.
Whether he’s responding to emergencies, engaging with the community, or offering a helping hand to someone in need, Wyatt consistently leads with courage, humility, and heart. He has made a meaningful impact on countless lives, and he truly embodies what it means to be a hometown hero.
Cary is safer and stronger because of Officer Wyatt Godwin. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition.”
Thank you, Wyatt, for your service! As a token of our appreciation, we’re sending you a $50 gift card to Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q to thank you for all you do.
Holiday Live and Kickin’ Friday with Mike and Amanda!
Join Mike and Amanda for a Live and Kickin’ holiday celebration! Be a studio guest on Friday 12/5 or 12/12 and see what happens behind the scenes and be part of the show! Register below to attend. Breakfast will be provided by Hardee’s, and our friends at Jernigan’s in Dunn will provide you with a special gift! Shop fabulous gifts, jewelry, and more!
