The Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon is bringing PIES to the Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival

The Morning Thing is shining the spotlight on the 2024 Music and Arts Festival this week.
On Wednesday, we talked with Wendi Fowler from the Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon. She shared the details about the Kiwanis Club Pie Auction which is a new event to the festival.
Click HERE to hear the conversation.

The pie auction will be held in conjunction with the wood auction on Saturday, August 10.
Bidding registration starts at 4:30pm.
The auction will from 5:30pm – 7pm on the Public Square.

There are 17 pies up for bid. Pies are being made by celebrities. Some of them include: Mayor Matt and Joanne Starr – All American Apple Pie, Bruce and Kathy White (from KCH) – Blueberry, Dr. Carson Castleman (MVNU President) – chocolate pie and Dr. Berry (COTC) – strawberry pie.
The Mount Vernon High School Key Club is also involved.

Wendi also shared how the money from the auction will be used. The Kiwanis Club supports youth and children in the community: Imagination Library, 4H, Babe Ruth baseball, and the Fredericktown Fire Academy.

If you would like to donate a pie, send an email to Wendi.fowler@parknationalbank.com

Wendi told us more about the Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon. Some of their programs include: boots and coats for kids, literacy projects and gathering 1,200 books for kids this summer!
They also go into the Mount Vernon classrooms to read books to students.
Literacy has been the focus for 2024.

Wendi invites residents to visit the next meeting for Kiwanis on Monday, 8/12 at Noon at the Gallagher Center at the Ohio Eastern Star. They meet on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month. 

The festival runs on these dates:
Thursday 8/8 – 5pm – 10pm (They will have a soft opening on Thursday at lunch time so that people can access the food trucks on the public square)
Friday 8/9 – 11am – 10pm
Saturday 8/10 – 11am – 10pm
Sunday 8/11 – 11am – 3pm

Find out more at mvmaf.org

The 2024 Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival kicks off on Thursday

Today, The Morning Thing kicked off our preview of the 2024 Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival.
We talked with Board Member, Debbie Ruggles.
Click HERE to hear the conversation.

She shared an overview of the festival with highlights of the vendors and food trucks coming this year.
She shared that some exciting events are on the schedule including Lonestar on Saturday night, the Children’s Ballet and a new Pie Auction with the Kiwanis Club.
A special KidFest will be held all 4 days. Friday will feature local community acts.

The Festival dates and times:
Thursday 8/8 – 5pm – 10pm
Friday 8/9 – 11am – 10pm
Saturday 8/10 – 11am – 10pm
Sunday 8/11 – 11am – 3pm

Find all the details and the complete schedule at www.mvmaf.org

Congratulations to the Mount Vernon Volunteers of the Year

At August First Friday, Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr announced the Volunteers of the Year: Janis Stone and Kevin Mishey.

Janis has been involved with theater in our community for several decades. She is a founding member of MTVarts. She has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund the performing arts in Mount Vernon. She has helped to develop many theater options for our community including dinner theater, Broadway musicals, the Classic Series based on American Literature, Arts IQ and youth performances.

Kevin Mishey has been an advisory board member with the Salvation army for over 25 years. He is Chair of the their Maintenance Committee and serves on the Capital Campaign Committee and the Christmas Kettle Committee. He is also an integral part of music here in Mount Vernon – teaching guitar lessons, leading a music program at Danbury Senior Living and providing special music at Faith Lutheran Church. He is a regular performer at Praisestock and other festivals. He is also a member of the Front Porch Concert Committee.

Click HERE to hear our conversation.

Congratulations to these two amazing volunteers!

August First Friday comes to downtown Mount Vernon tonight!

Lacey Filkins, Executive Director for Experience Mount Vernon was a guest on The Morning Thing today. She shared a preview of August First Friday.
Click HERE to hear her conversation with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart.
She shared highlights of tonight’s schedule, entertainment, food and activities. She also shares information on parking and road closures.
Tonight’s event is from 6pm – 9pm. We hope to see you for a celebration of the “Dog Days of Summer”!

The Morning Thing Friday Favorites – we LOVE dogs!

Today for our Friday Favorites, we want to honor DOGS!
WNZR’s annual “Dog Days of Summer” Dog Costume Parade is tonight at August First Friday.
The Morning Thing hosts shared their favorite memories with their dogs.
Click HERE to listen.
We hope to see you in downtown Mount Vernon tonight from 6pm – 9pm. The parade starts at 7:15pm.

2024 Knox County Junior Fair Llama Show Results

1st Year Showman – Hays Doup: Knox County Draft Horse & Pony Club

Junior Showman – Tinley Doup: Knox County Draft Horse & Pony Club

Intermediate Showman – Nicksen Van Houten : Country Critters

Senior Showman – Ada Ruckman: Llamas R Us

Master Showman – Ada Ruckman

Champion Halter – Male: Anysten Van Houten: Country Critters

Reserve Champion Halter – Male: Ada Ruckman: Llamas R Us

Champion Halter – Female: Anysten Van Houten: Country Critters

Reserve Champion Halter – Female: Emma Ruckman: Llamas R Us

Overall Champion Halter: Anysten Van Houten: Country Critters

Overall Reserve Champion Halter: Ada Ruckman: Llamas R Us

1st Place Obstacle – Emma Ruckman: Llamas R Us

1st Place Pack – Ada Ruckman: Llamas R Us

High Point – Ada Ruckman: Llamas R Us

Ruckman, Emma8Alpaca and Llama SkillathonLLAMAS R US
Doup, Hays9Alpaca and Llama SkillathonKNOX COUNTY DRAFT HORSE & PONY
Doup, Tenley10Alpaca and Llama SkillathonKNOX COUNTY DRAFT HORSE & PONY
Bumpus, Dani15Alpaca and Llama SkillathonLLAMAS R US
Ruckman, Ada16Alpaca and Llama SkillathonLLAMAS R US

WNZR congratulates MORE 4H Winners at the 2024 Knox County Fair

WNZR had the privilege to feature multiple 4H winners from the 2024 Knox County Fair. These talented young people participated in various projects, including miscellaneous projects.
They stopped by Big Blue to tell us about their experience in 4H, how they worked to present their project and their excitement to represent Knox County at the Ohio State Fair.
Click HERE to listen in as we honor and recognize these amazing young women and men. Congratulations!

2024 Knox County Junior Fair Sale of Champions Results

WNZR was proud to broadcast live at the Knox County Fair Sale of Champions

Did you miss WNZR’s broadcast of the 2024 Sale of Champions? Good News!
You can find the full broadcast HERE
Listen to some amazing conversations with our Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Winners! Listen in as WNZR’s Joe Rinehart talks with the Grand Champions and Reserve Champion winners from this year’s Knox County Fair. You can also hear Marcy Rinehart give results from each animal sold. Thanks to all the buyers that participated.

The unofficial total from the Sale of Champions was $98,200!

  • The Grand Champion Market Goat was shown by Aubree Hess of Mount Vernon. She is part of the Boots and Banner 4H Club. Aubree was also the Intermediate Showmanship Winner.
    • A large group of buyers bought the animal for a price of $8,000! They included: Country Acres, Small’s Asphalt & Paving, Small Farms, Small’s Sand & Gravel, Jobes Insurance, Park National Bank, Revere Roofing Company, Smithhisler Meats, Pro Select, and Kari Ball Insurance
  • The Reserve Champion Market Goat was shown by Sara Wilson of Centerburg. She is part of the Centerburg Livestock 4H Club. Sarah was also Senior Showmanship winner.
    • The Animal Station and Burke Family Farms bought the animal for a price of $5,000
  • The Grand Champion Broilers (pen of 3) were shown by Karyssa VanHouten of Fredericktown with the Red Brush 4H Club.
    • TD Landscape bought the animals for a price of $2,300
  • The Reserve Champion broilers were shown by Henley Caughlan of Mount Vernon with the Animals R Us 4H Club.
    • Trillium Farms bought the animals for a price of $3,500
  • The Grand Champion hog was shown by Kinleigh Overholt of Fredericktown with the Blue Ribbon Livestock 4H Club. Kinleigh was also the Light-Heavy Weight Division Champion.
    • A group of buyers purchased the hog for a price of $10,000 – Round Hill Dairy, Kari Ball Insurance, The Animal Station, Burke Family Farms, Cubbage Electric, B & B Farm Services, and Nathan Miller Ag Pro.
  • The Reserve Champion hog was shown by Carder McConachie of Bellville with the Blue Ribbon Livestock 4H Club. Carder was also the Mid Weight Division Champion.
    • Beheler Excavating bought the animal for a price of $5,000.
  • The Grand Champion Rabbits (Market Fryers) were shown by Alivia Burke of Mount Vernon with the Knox Rocks 4H Club.
    • John Hinderer Honda bought the animals for a price of $2,250
  • The Reserve Champion Rabbits were shown by Trinity Amstutz of Fredericktown from the Outsiders 4H Club.
    • Alumni Roofing bought the animals for a price of $1,800
  • The Grand Champion Market Beef Steer was shown by Charley Beheler of Fredericktown. She is part of the Country Critters 4H Club. Charley was also Senior Showman and Master Showman.
    • Didinger & Son Crop Services bought the animal for a price of $7,500
  • The Reserve Champion Market Beef Steer was shown by Cade Strausbaugh of Danville. He is part of the Cabin Crew 4H Club. Cade was also the Junior Showman and 11-year-old Skillathon winner.
    • A large group of buyers went together to buy Cade’s Steer for a total price of $10,600. They included: Howard Hilton, BP Drilling, Straight A Signs, Country Acres, Didinger & Son Crop Services, Small’s Sand & Gravel, Small Farms, Small’s Asphalt & Paving, Smithhisler Meats, and Strausbaugh Farms.
  • The Grand Champion Dairy Market Feeder was shown by Elyza Baumgardner of Fredericktown. She is part of the Green Valley Giants 4H Club.
    • Smetzer’s Tire Center bought the animal for a price of $1,750
  • The Reserve Champion Dairy Market Feeder was shown by Logan Whitney of Danville. He is part of the Creative Kids 4H Club.
    • John Hinderer Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram Power Store bought the animal for a price of $2,250.
  • The Grand Champion Market Dairy Steer was shown by Sierra Shields of Howard with Creative Kids 4H Club. Sierra was also the Reserve Champion Rate of Gain and 14-year-old Skillathon Winner.
    • Alumni Roofing and THR Creekside Home Inspections bought the animal for a price of $4,000
  • The Reserve Champion Market Dairy Steer was shown by Elyza Baumgardner of Fredericktown with the Green Valley Giants 4H Club. Elyza was also the Intermediate Showman and 13-year-old Skillathon Winner.
    • Round Hill Dairy bought the animal for a price of $3,000
  • The Grand Champion Market Lamb was shown by Lane Thompson of Mount Vernon with the Animals R Us 4H Club. Lane was also Reserve Champion Bred, Born and Raised.
    • TD Landscape bought the animal for a price of $4,000
  • The Reserve Champion Market Lamb was shown by Anson Wenger of Fredericktown with the Red Brush 4H Club.  
    • Cubbage Electric bought the animal for a price of $5,000
  • The Grand Champion Pen of 3 Market Lambs was shown by Bryer Boeshart of Danville with the Chapelview Barn Buddies 4H Club.
    • A large group of buyers bought the animals for a price of $11,000. They included: Boeshart Construction, Boeshart Farms, Kari Ball Insurance, Country Acres, Seed Consultants, Ron Rogers Trucking, Wiley Farms, Pro Select, Curtis Trucking, Danville Feed & Supply, Jobes Insurance, Strausbaugh Farms, Alumni Roofing, Complete Care Animal Hospital, Small Farms, Small’s Sand & Gravel, and Small’s Asphalt & Paving.
  • The Reserve Champion Pen was shown by Kase Reynolds from Mount Vernon with Liberty Livestock 4H Club. Kase was also the 10-year-old Skillathon Winner.
    • Granville Milling Company and United Producers bought the animals for a price of $4,000
  • The Grand Champion Turkey was shown by Brynley Kirkpatrick from Butler with the Clovers of the Valley 4H Club.
    • Adena Corporation bought the animal for a price of $4,000
  • The Reserve Champion Turkey was shown by Hannah Durbin from Danville with the Better Livestock 4H Club.
    • Greg and Beverly Miller bought the animal for a price of $3,250

There was a special sale of 175th Anniversary Plates to honor the anniversary of the Knox County Fair. Each buyer also received a 175th Blanket.

Plate #1 – sold for $600, purchased by Alfrey Acres and Rock Enterprises

Plate #2 – sold for $200, purchased by BHD Farms

Plate #3 – sold for $200, purchased by Ruckman Group Auctions and Appraisals

Plate #4 – sold for $200, purchased by Louise Dudgeon

Plate #5 – sold for $325, purchased by Bill Levering

Plate #6 – sold for $300, purchased by JDC Livestock

Plate #7 – sold for $325, purchased by CWN Equipment

Plate #8 – sold for $300, purchased by Bill and Karen Moody

Plate #9 – sold for $350, purchased by Shipley Seed Service

Plate #10 – sold for $400, purchased by Knox Pages

Total brought in from the sale: $3,200

Thanks to our partners for helping us bring you live results from this year’s Sale of Champions.

Thanks to:
Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Knox County Career Center
Revere Roofing Company
The Ruckman Group Auctions and Appraisals
Valley ATV
Wendys of Mount Vernon


The Morning Thing Friday Favorites celebrate the Knox County Fair

Today for our Friday Favorites, The Morning Thing hosts shared their favorite memories from The Knox County Fair.
Click HERE to listen to the stories.
Make sure you listen to the end to hear Joe Rinehart read a letter that we received from a young lady named Claire. Her words inspired our entire team. We hope they will inspire you too. God is using WNZR to impact lives! We are so honored to work here and be a Lifeline for you and your family.

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