Author: themorningthing

Lainey Burak Takes the Case as Lauren Order in The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs

WNZR’s Eric Brown talks with Lainey Burak, who plays defense attorney Lauren Order in The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, the latest production from the Orange Barrel Production Company.

Click HERE to hear the full interview!

Lainey is a 13-year-old seventh grader at Mount Vernon Middle School and describes Lauren Order as confident, professional, and very direct. She says getting ready for the role has taken plenty of work, both during rehearsals and at home while learning lines and building the character.

One of her favorite parts of the show is the courtroom scene, where she gets to interact with the rest of the cast while defending the Wolf. Lainey says those moments make the performance especially fun because of the energy and chemistry between the actors.

This is Lainey’s second theater production and her first with Orange Barrel Production Company. While she enjoys acting, she says she currently sees theater as more of a hobby than a future career path.

She says one of the best parts of the experience has been building friendships with the cast and getting comfortable performing together on stage. Lainey also encourages other kids to give theater a try, even if it feels intimidating at first, because it becomes rewarding once you step in front of an audience.

Lainey says audiences can expect a fun, family-friendly show with audience participation, where the crowd helps decide whether the Wolf is innocent or guilty.

Performances will take place: May 14th, 15th, 21st, and 22nd at 7 p.m. at the Crossroads Theater inside the Mount Vernon Developmental Center Administration Building.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $10.

Click HERE to learn more about Orange Barrel Production Company!

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Knox County Head Start Launches Bottoms Up Campaign

WNZR’s Eric Brown spoke with Anna Yoder and Danielle Moffatt from Knox County Head Start about the Bottoms Up Diaper Drive happening throughout May.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Anna, who serves as enrollment coordinator, explains that Head Start partners with the Bottoms Up Diaper Bank to provide diapers to enrolled families and others in the community through referrals.

Danielle says the organization partnered this year with the Kiwanis Club to expand collection efforts across the county. Residents can donate diapers at several locations throughout Mount Vernon and surrounding communities during the month of May. The drive is especially in need of sizes 5, 6, and 7, and even open packages are accepted.

WNZR’s Eric Brown continues with Anna Yoder and Danielle Moffatt from Knox County Head Start about the Bottoms Up Diaper Drive. Organizers hope to collect more than 4,100 diapers this year, with the greatest need being larger diaper sizes and pull-ups.

Danielle says all donations stay local and help families enrolled in Head Start as well as other families referred through community agencies. Community organizations, churches, and businesses are also encouraged to host diaper drives of their own.

Donations can be dropped off at the Head Start Administration Building at 790 Fairgrounds Road in Mount Vernon. For more information, contact Anna Yoder at ayoder@knoxheadstart.org or call 740-397-2768.

Click HERE to find out more about Knox County Head Start!

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Bringing Emotion and Humanity to the Stage: Gabrielle Fuller Talks Mayella Ewell

WNZR’s Eric Brown talks with Gabrielle Fuller, who plays Mayella Ewell in MTVArts’ production of To Kill a Mockingbird at the Woodward Opera House.

Click HERE to hear the full interview!

Gabrielle has been involved with theater through MTVArts since 2016 and says auditioning for this show was an easy decision because she has always loved the story of To Kill a Mockingbird. In this production, she takes on the role of Mayella Ewell, a character she describes as emotional, isolated, and deeply shaped by fear and poverty.

To prepare for the role, Gabrielle says she’s spent time focusing on Mayella’s body language, emotions, and motivations throughout the story. She says one of the most powerful moments in the show is Atticus Finch’s closing speech to the jury, which continues to stand out to her during rehearsals.

Outside of this production, Gabrielle has recently appeared in shows including 9 to 5, The Little Mermaid Jr., and MTVArts’ Night of One Acts. She says theater has become an important creative outlet and something she genuinely loves, whether it’s acting, singing, or dancing.

Gabrielle also encourages others to give theater a try, saying there’s a place for everyone, whether on stage or working behind the scenes. She believes audiences will connect with To Kill a Mockingbird because its themes of empathy, justice, and courage still resonate today.

Performances of To Kill a Mockingbird will take place at the Woodward Opera House on Friday, May 8th and Saturday, May 9th at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on May 10th at 2:00 p.m.

Click HERE for ticket information!

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WNZR Senior Spotlight: Kai Mays

As part of Seniors Week at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart sat down with graduating senior Kai Mays to reflect on his time at MVNU and his experiences with WNZR.

Click HERE to hear the full interview!

Kai, who is from Delaware, says he originally came to MVNU to play soccer after spending most of his life around the sport. While athletics brought him to campus, he eventually found a passion for Communication and Digital Media, graduating with a Business minor as well.

Kai became involved with WNZR through class requirements and later found his place with the station’s video crew. He helped direct productions, run camera, and assist with sports broadcasts. He says one of the biggest lessons he learned was how much work goes into producing content behind the scenes and how important the process is to creating something successful.

During the conversation, Kai also shared a few favorite memories from his time at MVNU, including Christmas parties with friends, exciting moments covering volleyball games, and even jumping into the reflection pond during the recent paint drop celebration.

As graduation approaches, Mays says it still feels a little surreal, but he is excited for the next chapter. After a short trip to Iowa, he plans to work for a renovation company this summer while exploring long-term career opportunities, including possible work in car photography.

Kai also asked listeners to pray for his sister and her fiancé as they prepare for their upcoming wedding in August, along with continued health concerns she is facing.

Click HERE to learn more about WNZR!

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The Morning Thing Friday Favorites celebrate our WNZR Seniors!

For our Friday Favorites today, The Morning Thing hosts share their favorite memories with our Seniors in the MVNU Class of 2026. Congratulations to Abby Almodovar, Zane Menzie, Isaiah Clark, Kai Mays, EJ Temple, Jackson Bush, Kara Jenkins, Naomi Kinne and Traven Griffith!

Click HERE to hear our memories or click on the picture below.

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WNZR Senior Spotlight: EJ Temple

As part of Seniors Week at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart sat down with graduating senior EJ Temple to talk about his journey to MVNU, his time with WNZR, and what’s next after graduation.

Click HERE for the full interview!

Temple, who is from Mount Gilead, says his path to MVNU took a few turns. After attending Waynesburg University and Columbus State, he transferred to MVNU for his junior and senior years. He studied Communications and Digital Media with a focus on sports announcing.

At WNZR, EJ worked on The Viewer, served on the video team, and spent a year as a DJ. He says his favorite role was working behind the camera during sports broadcasts and video projects. Temple says one of the biggest things he learned during his time at the station was patience and how to work with people at different experience levels.

Looking back, EJ says he still remembers being nervous about getting accepted to MVNU, but now sees how worthwhile the journey has been. Some of his favorite memories came while working courtside at basketball games, including a funny moment during a women’s game when a player was less than thrilled to see the camera pointed her direction after a fall on the court.

After graduation, Temple will begin a job with Bankers Life selling life insurance. He says his background in sales and communication helped lead him toward the career. EJ asks listeners to pray for him as he prepares for his insurance exam and begins this next chapter.

Click HERE to learn more about WNZR!

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Today is the National Day of Prayer!

Today is a special day for our community, and WNZR is honored to be part of it.

We’re teaming up with the Knox Network of Christian Ministries to make prayer a central focus throughout the day. From morning to evening, you’ll hear voices you know and trust—local pastors and ministry leaders—leading us in prayer at the top of each hour. It’s a simple but powerful way for all of us to pause, refocus, and come together in faith right where we are.

This year’s National Day of Prayer theme, “Glorify God Among the Nations – Seeking Him in All Generations,” reminds us that prayer connects us across every age, every background, and every corner of the world. The theme verse, 1 Chronicles 16:24, says: “Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.” It’s an invitation to not only pray, but to remember and share what God is doing.

And we’d love for you to be part of this day in a personal way. If you have a prayer request on your heart—or even a praise report you’d like to celebrate—you’re invited to share it with us. You can email wnzr@mvnu.edu or call 740-392-9090.

However you choose to join in, we hope you’ll take a few moments today to pray with us.

National Day of Prayer Schedule

12:30am – Kandee Popham, Place 4 Grace

1:30am – Marvin Haught, Brandon Baptist Church

2:30am – Troy McNichols, New Life Church of the Nazarene

3:30am – Andy Smith, New Life Community Church, Fredericktown

4:30am – Thom Collier, e-Merge Real Estate Champions and Chaplain

5:30am – Jess Kirby, Starting Point Pregnancy and Family Resource Center

6:30am – Captain Christine Moretz, Mount Vernon Salvation Army

7:30am – Marcy Rinehart, WNZR/MVNU

8:30am  – Jessica Reynolds, TouchPointe Community Resources

9:30am – Scott Sharpes, Lakeholm Church of the Nazarene

10:30am – Amy McDougale, The Least of These Ministry

11:30am – Jenn Furay, Starting Point Pregnancy and Family Resource Center

12:30pm – Carolyn Fergus, Knox County Interchurch Social Services

1:30pm –– Cody Blust, Faith Lutheran Church

2:30pm – Dave Mills, Mount Vernon Nazarene University

3:30pm – Mike McKinley, TouchPointe Community Resources

4:30pm – Dr. Carson Castleman, President Mount Vernon Nazarene University

5:30pm – Mount Vernon Mayor Dr. Matt Starr

6:30pm – Tim Stickle, Revive Knox County

7:30pm – Joe Rinehart from WNZR 90.9 FM/Mount Vernon Nazarene University

8:30pm – Joe Proudfoot, Mount Vernon FirstNaz

9:30pm – Richard Hite, Church on the Rise

10:30pm – David Carter, Child Evangelism Fellowship, former High School Guidance Counselor

11:30pm – Christopher Liberati, Gay Street United Methodist Church

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WNZR Senior Spotlight: Jackson Bush

It’s Senior’s Week here at WNZR!

For Mount Vernon Nazarene University senior Jackson Bush, the path to graduation has been shaped by opportunity, hard work, and meaningful connections.

Click HERE for the full conversation with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart!

Originally from Roseville, California, Jackson grew up playing volleyball and continued that passion as a member of MVNU’s men’s team. He began college at Cornerstone University studying film and TV, but a visit to MVNU for a conference tournament changed everything. Impressed by the quality of the video stream—and after his original program was discontinued—he made the decision to transfer and pursue Communications and Digital Media.

Once at MVNU, Jackson jumped right in. He reached out and got involved with WNZR, taking on roles with the video crew, as a communications assistant, and as an intern. Along the way, he discovered just how much goes into media—and embraced the challenge of learning it all.

Some of his favorite moments happened off the court and behind the scenes—road trips, late-night food runs, and time spent with teammates. Those relationships are what he’ll miss most.

While graduation marks the end of one chapter, Jackson isn’t going far. He’ll continue with WNZR as a graduate assistant while pursuing a master’s degree in organizational management. As he looks ahead, he asks for prayer for his mom, who will undergo treatment for multiple sclerosis this summer, and for guidance as he works out his living situation for the year ahead.

It’s a season of transition—but one Jackson is stepping into with purpose and gratitude.

Click HERE to learn more about WNZR!

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Steve Jefferson finds a powerful and emotional story of truth as he takes on the role of Reverend Sykes

WNZR’s Eric Brown talks with Steve Jefferson, who plays Reverend Sykes in MTVArts’ production of To Kill a Mockingbird at the Woodward Opera House.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Steve got involved in theater after retiring from a teaching career at the Knox County Career Center. He shares how stepping into theater opened a whole new world and gave him an appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that makes each production possible.

Steve talks about the powerful, true-to-life story of this show. He shares that he wanted to be part of a production that tells such an important story.

Steve shares about his preparation for this role and the relationships he has built with the cast. He encourages the community to come out and see the show. Steve calls this show a powerful and emotional story that reflects important truths and leaves audiences thinking long after the performance ends.

Performances of To Kill a Mockingbird will take place at the Woodward Opera House on Friday, May 8th and Saturday, May 9th at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on May 10th at 2:00 p.m.

Click HERE for more information or to buy tickets!

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Seeing the Story Through Her Eyes: Grace Shank Steps Into the Role of Scout Finch

WNZR’s Eric Brown talks with Grace Shank, who plays Scout Finch in MTVArts’ production of To Kill a Mockingbird at the Woodward Opera House.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Grace is a 17-year-old junior at East Knox, and she takes on the role of young Scout in the show. An older version of Scout—Jean Louise—helps tell the story, but Grace says her focus has been figuring out how to bring that younger perspective to life. That’s meant thinking and reacting more like a kid who’s still trying to understand everything going on around her.

She says one of the things she likes most about Scout is how honest she is. Scout says what she’s thinking, asks questions, and doesn’t really hold back. That plays into one of Grace’s favorite moments in the show—the final scene—when Scout begins to see Boo Radley in a different light and realizes she may have had him all wrong.

This is Grace’s 12th production, and she says Beauty and the Beast has been one of her favorites over the years. Even though she plans to pursue a career as a forensic investigator, she still hopes to stay involved in theater when she can.

She also says the cast has made this experience especially memorable. Even with the heavier themes in the show, there’s been a lot of fun behind the scenes, and she’s enjoyed getting to know everyone.

Grace says if someone is thinking about trying theater, they should go for it. Each show is a chance to learn something new and get a little better.

Performances of To Kill a Mockingbird will take place at the Woodward Opera House on Friday, May 8th and Saturday, May 9th at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on May 10th at 2:00 p.m.

Click HERE for more information or to buy tickets!

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