Starting Point Expands Community Outreach with New Mobile Ministry and Upcoming Family Event

We talked with Jennifer Furay, Executive Director of Starting Point Pregnancy & Family Resource Center, about the organization’s ongoing work to support individuals and families throughout Knox County.

Click HERE to listen to the conversation!

Jennifer explains that Starting Point serves people facing unexpected pregnancies as well as students, parents, grandparents, and families navigating difficult circumstances. She also discusses the organization’s new mobile ministry, which has already provided a private, air-conditioned space for nursing mothers at community events and is expected to expand its outreach in the coming months.

Jennifer introduces Erin Hayden, the new Mobile Operations Coordinator, and shares that Starting Point is looking for additional ultrasound-trained nurses and volunteers. She also highlights several new staff members, including Liz, Audrey, and Abby, along with Katie Adams, who has transitioned into the role of Client Services Director. Jennifer says these changes have brought together a talented team passionate about serving families in the community.

Jennifer also invites the community to Starting Point’s upcoming 5K and Family Glow Night on October 3. The event will provide an opportunity to connect with local families, raise awareness about Starting Point, and support its programs and services. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of community partnerships, sponsors, volunteers, and donors while looking forward to an evening of fellowship, fundraising, and fun—including an appearance by the popular Dot.

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Sabina Anderson Brings Miss Hildegarde Hodge to Life in Bull in a China Shop

We talked with Sabina Anderson, who plays Miss Hildegarde Hodge in Orange Barrel Production Company’s Bull in a China Shop.

Click HERE to listen to the conversation!

Sabina describes Hildegarde as a practical, no-nonsense boarding house owner who also has a softer, more playful side when she encounters the show’s handsome detective. She shares how much she has enjoyed the challenge of portraying both sides of the character and says one of the show’s unique qualities is that, despite being a murder mystery, many of its characters are genuinely likable.

Sabina has been involved in theater for most of her life through school, church, and community productions, with previous roles in Pride and Prejudice, Anne of Green Gables, Guys and Dolls, The Music Man, and Little Shop of Horrors. She is also returning to Bull in a China Shop after previously performing in the production as a student at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. She says the camaraderie and laughter among the cast have made rehearsals especially enjoyable.

Sabina also discusses the costume and makeup work that transforms her into Hildegarde, including age makeup, period clothing, and a 1950s-style wig. Although she considers herself an introvert, Sabina says theater has always given her a place to feel confident, connected, and free to express herself. She encourages others to get involved in theater, whether onstage or backstage, and invites the community to attend Bull in a China Shop for an affordable night of live entertainment while supporting local performers and the arts.

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Brook Abella Returns To The Sonfest Stage

WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talks with Brook Abella, senior at MVNU and her band, who are one of the artists performing at Sonfest 2026.

Click HERE to hear the entire conversation, or click the image below!

Brook Abella’s band is made up of Elijah Yoder, guitarist and vocalist, Robert Eggebrect, drummer, and Luke Tibbe, pianist.

Brook Abella grew up in Bellefontaine, Ohio, and found many opportunities to worship in different places in her town.

Luke Tibbe, pianist, is from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has been participating in music for about 6 years. Since then, he has really enjoyed being on worship teams and praising Jesus.

Robbert Eggebrect, drummer, is from Cincinnati, Ohio, and an engineer student from Cedarville University. Elijah Yoder, guitarist and vocalist, has been leading worship at his church for about a year and has been playing guitar for about 4 years.

Brook Abella’s music influence has come from sources like Christian radio and artists like TobyMac and Mandisa. She enjoys listening to the messages of inspiration and hope and putting that same message into the songs she makes. When writing and making music, her inspiration comes from God’s Word and the quiet, still moments she has with God.

Brook Abella is looking forward to seeing this year’s Sonfest headliner, Chris Renzema, at MVNU. She is a fan of his musicianship and his songwriting. In her band’s set, they normally perform a song written by Chris Renzema called “Adoni”.

Luke Tibbe, pianist, is also looking forward to seeing Chris Renzema at this year’s Sonfest. He really enjoys Renzema’s music and lyrics, which have played a big influence on Luke.

Elijah Yoder, guitarist and vocalist, is excited to worship at Sonfest this year. With all the preparation the band has done, he is excited to worship with everyone. Robbert Eggebrect, drummer, is excited to meet gio., who is another artist at Sonfest 2026.

Brook Abella hopes that while she and the band are onstage, the audience will experience the presence of God. She and the band invite the Holy Spirit into any atmosphere they are in and hope that people who may not know Jesus will begin to ask who He is and start to learn more about Him.

Luke Tibbe, pianist, wants the audience to know “how livable” The Gospel message is through worship.

Elijah Yoder, guitarist and vocalist, is looking forward for the band and audience to be unashamed in worship. Robbert Eggebrect, drummer, is hoping that the Sonfest artist arrives with an open mind and worship with no limits.

Click HERE for ticket information and more about Sonfest 2026!

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Antique Tractors Return to the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

WNZR’s Josiah Styer talks with Richie Litzenberg, coordinator of the antique tractor activities at the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival.

Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation, or click on the image below!

Richie shares that his family has been involved with the Old Time Farming Festival for most of his life, while he has personally served on the festival committee for the past three years. He helps organize the antique tractor display area, coordinate equipment needs and assist with the annual tractor pull.

This year’s featured tractors are Massey-Harris models, and Richie encourages anyone with antique tractors, farm equipment, pedal tractors, hit-and-miss engines, or vintage farm trucks to bring them to Memorial Park for display. He notes that exhibitors do not need to belong to a tractor club to participate. They only have a registration area by at the infield where equipment is at. Awards and plaques will be presented for outstanding displays during the weekend.

The community parade begins Saturday at 10 a.m., followed by the Antique Tractor Parade through the park at 4 p.m. The Antique Tractor Pull takes place Sunday, with registration beginning at 10 a.m. and the competition starting at 11 a.m.

Styer talks with Richie Litzenberg, coordinator of the antique tractor activities at the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival.

Richie says one of his favorite parts of the festival is reconnecting with fellow tractor enthusiasts and showcasing tractors that have often been restored and passed down through generations. His own family enjoys the hobby together, with his children already owning tractors of their own.

Reflecting on this year’s theme, “America’s 250: Keep Plowing Forward,” Richie says it is especially meaningful as a fifth-generation farm family celebrating 160 years on their family farm. He believes the theme recognizes both America’s heritage and the importance of preserving farming traditions for future generations.

Click HERE for more information about the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

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Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival Keeps Tradition Alive Through Contests and Games

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talks with Cora Baitz, coordinator of the Contest and Games Tent at the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

Click HERE or click on the picture link below to hear the full conversation!

Cora shares about her lifelong involvement with the festival and highlights the variety of traditional contests visitors can enjoy, including sack races, bubble gum blowing, nail driving, speech contests, math competitions, arm wrestling, and the annual Cookie Contest.

Cora explains how these activities have remained a part of the festival for generations, helping preserve its old-time traditions and family-friendly atmosphere. She also discusses this year’s Cookie Contest, the cash prizes available, and the excitement surrounding a hot air balloon offering tethered rides Saturday. This year’s theme, “America’s 250: Keep Plowing Forward,” reflects the festival’s focus on honoring local farming heritage while looking toward the future.

Click HERE for more info on the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

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Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival Pie Auction Highlights

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talks with Judy Litzenberg, coordinator of the annual Pie Auction at the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

Click HERE or click the picture link below to hear the full conversation!

Judy shares about her more than 20 years of involvement with the festival and explains how the Pie Auction has become one of the event’s important fundraisers, helping keep the festival free for the community. This year’s auction will feature approximately 25 homemade pies, with flavors ranging from apple and pecan to peach, along with special bonus items donated by many of the bakers.

The Pie Auction takes place Saturday at 6 p.m. on the main stage at Memorial Park, immediately following the Youth Cookie Auction at 5:30 p.m. Past auction packages have included handmade baskets, jams and jellies, quilts, Ohio State-themed gifts, and other creative surprises. Visitors interested in bidding can register for a bidding number at the Jagger Auctioneering truck before the auction begins.

Click HERE for more info on the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

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Mayor Matt Starr Challenges Mount Vernon to Become a Stronger, More Grateful Community

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr used this year’s Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast to challenge the community to think about gratitude in a deeper way.

Held Wednesday at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, the annual breakfast brought together community members for a message centered on remembering what God has given, noticing the people around us and turning gratitude into service.

Click HERE to hear the full address!

Starr opened by asking a simple question: what are we in danger of forgetting because something louder has captured our attention?

Throughout the message, he drew from Scripture and the stories of people including Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Viktor Frankl to show how gratitude can remain even during difficult circumstances. He also reflected on public service, noting that criticism is often louder than appreciation and that leaders have to be careful not to let the loudest voices define the whole community.

Starr said gratitude is not about ignoring problems. Instead, it is about remembering what is good while still working to improve what is broken.

He shared several local examples of what that can look like, including people who offer encouragement, pray for others, create second chances and quietly serve without recognition. Starr also pointed to WNZR’s Joe Rinehart as an example of someone who took time during an interview to ask a guest how he could pray for her.

Another theme was the idea that gratitude should lead to action. Starr said receiving grace, encouragement or another opportunity should eventually move people to extend those same things to someone else.

He also reflected personally on being given another chance with his health and how that experience changed the way he viewed gratitude and responsibility.

Near the end of the message, Starr returned to the idea of attention—encouraging those in attendance to notice the people they may be overlooking, remember those who have helped them and take the time to say thank you.

He closed by reminding the audience that Christian gratitude is ultimately rooted in God’s grace, and that a strong community is one that notices, remembers, serves and gives thanks.

Click HERE to learn more about the City of Mount Vernon!

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Glenn Goodwin Talks with WNZR About the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talks with Glenn Goodwin, President of the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival Board.

Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation, or click the image below!

Glenn shares that he has been involved with the Old Time Farming Festival for more than 20 years. He first volunteered by helping with electrical work and through his family’s longtime food stand before eventually joining the board and serving as president.

As president, Glenn helps oversee the festival’s committees, coordinates preparations, and works to ensure that every volunteer group has the support needed to make the event successful. He emphasizes that while the president may lead the organization, the festival depends on the teamwork and dedication of many volunteers.

Glenn says one of his goals is to make sure every committee member feels valued as preparations come together for another successful festival weekend. The event takes place at Memorial Park in Centerburg, located near State Routes 3, 36, and 314. Activities begin Saturday morning with the annual parade at 10 a.m., followed by the opening ceremony and the official start of the festival.

Parking is available along State Route 314, where signs and banners will direct visitors to designated lots. Shuttle service will be available throughout the weekend, and handicap parking is offered inside the park.

The festival runs until 8pm on Saturday and they’re wrapping up at 5pm on Sunday. They have entertainment on the stage, and so much more. One of the biggest updates is moving the tractor parade from Sunday to Saturday at 4 p.m., allowing visitors to enjoy the parade before exhibitors begin loading equipment for the trip home.

Saturday’s activities also include live entertainment, a performance by the local band Hard Knocks, a children’s baking competition, and the annual pie auction, which serves as the festival’s primary fundraiser. Sunday features a community church service, choir performances, antique tractor pulls, square dancing, live entertainment and the festival concludes Sunday afternoon at 5pm with awards presentations and closing activities.

Glenn discusses the wide variety of food available during the festival, featuring many local Knox County vendors. You can enjoy barbecue, Mexican food, fish, breakfast options, blooming onions, sandwiches, ice cream, and other festival favorites. Local organizations, including the Boy Scouts, will also operate food booths throughout the weekend.

Glenn wants to see younger generations connect with older generations through the shared history of farming. Conversations between children, families, and longtime farmers help preserve agricultural traditions while encouraging appreciation for the area’s rural heritage.

This year’s theme is “America’s 250: Keep Plowing Forward.” Glenn says the theme celebrates America’s 250th birthday while encouraging people to continue building a stronger future for the next generation. He believes the festival serves as a reminder of the importance of community, hard work, and preserving local agricultural history.

Click HERE for more information about the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

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Lynn Brady Talks with WNZR About the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival Art Contest!

WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talks with Lynn Brady, Art Committee Chair for the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival, about this year’s Youth Art Contest.

Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation, or click the image below!

WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talks with Lynn Brady, Art Committee Chair for the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival.

Lynn Brady shares that she has served on the festival board for about five years, although her family has been attending and helping with the festival for nearly two decades. This year, Lynn and her daughter oversee the festival’s Youth Art Contest.

The contest invites students in grades one through twelve to create artwork that is displayed throughout the festival. Entries come primarily from Centerburg-area schools, but local homeschool students also participate. Lynn says the contest is a great opportunity for young artists to showcase their creativity while becoming part of a long-standing community tradition.

Lynn Brady explains that the artwork is displayed in the shelter house nearest the intersection of Routes 3, 36, and 314 inside Memorial Park. The exhibit remains open throughout the festival weekend, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to view the students’ work.

Students typically register through Centerburg schools, local art teachers, or homeschooling groups, with artwork being submitted through the Centerburg Library. Lynn says awards include first, second, and third-place ribbons, honorable mentions, and Best of Show honors for elementary, middle school, and high school students. New for this year are special patriotic awards tied to the festival theme, “America’s 250: Keep Plowing Forward,” along with a President’s Choice Award and a Grand Marshal’s Choice Award.

Lynn Brady says one of her favorite parts of the festival is watching families enjoy activities together and seeing students proudly show their artwork to parents and grandparents. She says the excitement on the children’s faces makes the art contest especially rewarding.

As someone who enjoys history, Lynn appreciates this year’s theme, “America’s 250: Keep Plowing Forward.” She says the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary is a meaningful milestone and is glad the celebration has been incorporated into the festival and the youth art contest. Lynn encourages families to visit the art exhibit during the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival and enjoy the creativity, talent, and community spirit that students bring to the annual event.

Click HERE for more information about the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

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